Attacking an Array without provocation would almost always create a mortal enemy. Xu Hongzhi dared to do so only because he was confident he had already uncovered all of Yang Jing's secrets.
A Low Tier Independent Cultivator with no backing, whose only noteworthy skill was Alchemy.
In Xu Hongzhi's eyes, an Independent Cultivator like this was no different from a pig ripe for slaughter. It was laughable that he'd come to the Chen Kingdom, clinging to the fantasy of reaching Foundation Establishment. 'With such pathetic aptitude, he actually wants to reach Foundation Establishment? What a pipe dream. The best fate for people like him is to serve as my stepping stone, providing the resources for *my* Foundation Establishment.'
He activated a Communication Talisman. After waiting only a moment, Yang Jing still hadn't emerged. Growing impatient, Xu Hongzhi drew his Magic Sword, unleashed a beam of Sword Qi, and struck the Array.
Of course, he wasn't wealthy enough to afford a Flying Sword. The Magic Sword in his hand was a Middle Grade Magical Artifact that, when infused with Magical Power, could unleash a powerful beam of Sword Qi.
The expressions of the Zhang Brothers standing behind Xu Hongzhi changed. They hadn't expected him to be so brazen. If Yang Jing used a talisman from within the Array to summon the Law Enforcement Team, they'd all be in for a world of hurt. Xu Hongzhi had his master to protect him, but they had no such backing.
With Demons appearing in the Huangyuan Mountain Range, the two brothers no longer dared to venture up the mountain to gather herbs, cutting off their main source of income. They were left to hastily tend their Spirit Fields, hoping for a decent harvest. When they heard that Yang Jing had caught a Dragon Blood Carp, their eyes went red with jealousy. So when Xu Hongzhi came asking about Yang Jing's background, they immediately cozied up to him and told him everything they knew.
The jade-green Sword Qi flew into the mist. There was a single muffled THUD, and then nothing. It was like a stone dropped into the ocean.
Xu Hongzhi looked embarrassed. He hadn't expected the array outside Yang Jing's Cave Mansion to be more than a simple Fog Concealment Array; he had just made a fool of himself.
Just then, the dense fog suddenly parted, revealing a narrow path from which Yang Jing emerged.
"So, you're the lucky bastard, Yang Jing?"
Xu Hongzhi sneered, tilting his head at Yang Jing as he barked:
"Your lucky day has arrived. My master, Master Qiu Feihua, has seen that your aptitude is passable and wishes to accept you as his disciple. You should prepare an appropriate disciple's gift. I hear you recently caught a Dragon Blood Carp... That Demon Carp would do nicely. Are you willing to present it?"
As he spoke, his eyes locked onto Yang Jing and his hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his threat perfectly clear.
Yang Jing pressed a small bag of Spirit Stones into Xu Hongzhi's hand.
Xu Hongzhi weighed the bag in his palm, guessing it held at least ten Spirit Stones. He tossed them into his Storage Bag, but his expression didn't soften. 'In his mind, all of Yang Jing's Spirit Stones were already his for the taking.'
"Master Qiu is willing to accept me as his disciple? I am truly honored and overwhelmed. Offering the Dragon Blood Carp as a gift is no problem at all. I also have some skill in Alchemy and can refine a few rudimentary Spirit Pills. I only hope that Master Qiu will be willing to teach me some of his true arts."
Yang Jing said, cupping his hands with a look of terrified reverence, playing the part of a humble Independent Cultivator with no connections perfectly.
"Of course, of course."
Xu Hongzhi looked Yang Jing up and down and gave a hollow laugh that didn't reach his eyes. The Zhang Brothers behind him, however, paled slightly. If Qiu Feihua really accepted Yang Jing as a disciple, their own position would become very awkward.
"Wonderful!" Yang Jing exclaimed, looking as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "I will deliver the Dragon Blood Carp to the Qiu Mansion in three days."
Xu Hongzhi's face instantly darkened, his eyebrows shooting up as he snarled:
"What tricks are you trying to pull? I'm taking the Dragon Blood Carp with me today. Hand it over, now!"
Yang Jing hesitated for a moment. Xu Hongzhi's menacing aura intensified as he lunged forward to grab Yang Jing and force him to reveal the Dragon Blood Carp's location.
"The Dragon Blood Carp is right here!"
Yang Jing resignedly handed over his Storage Bag.
"Smart move."
Xu Hongzhi snorted coldly, snatching the Storage Bag. He used his Divine Sense to wipe away Yang Jing's spiritual brand, then looked inside and saw the butchered Dragon Blood Carp.
"Why is so much of it missing?"
"I heard the Dragon Blood Carp could improve my aptitude, so I... ate some."
"You ate this much in just a few days? What are you, a bottomless pit? You will compensate for the missing meat with fifty Spirit Stones! I'll come back to collect in a few days."
With that, Xu Hongzhi tucked the Storage Bag into his robes and turned to leave, a satisfied smirk on his face.
Seeing how things played out, Zhang Long and Zhang Hu realized there was no chance Master Qiu would ever accept Yang Jing as a true disciple. They spat on the ground in contempt toward him, then scurried off to obsequiously escort Xu Hongzhi away.
Looking utterly crestfallen, Yang Jing retreated back into his Array. Once inside the Fog Concealment Array, he cradled Iron Head in his arms and instructed Yinjiao to guard the Cave Mansion. Then, he immediately executed a Cloud Escape, flew out of the Array, and began tailing Xu Hongzhi from a distance.
Xu Hongzhi happily tossed the Storage Bag in his hand. He was overjoyed. 'I can't believe that idiot Yang Jing just handed the Dragon Blood Carp over like that. And since it's already been carved up, it's not his word against mine on how much meat is missing.'
'I'll secretly slice off a hundred pounds or so for myself. When my master flies into a rage later, he can take it out on Yang Jing. It won't have anything to do with me.'
Pleased with his scheme, Xu Hongzhi activated a Wind-controlling Talisman to return to his Cave Mansion. He had only made it halfway when a vicious gust of wind blasted him from behind. A sharp, intense pain erupted in the back of his neck—his spine had been snapped!
He tried to scream in terror, but a cloth sack was yanked over his head. He was hoisted into the air and carried off. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he was slammed to the ground.
Xu Hongzhi's heart plummeted. 'I've run into a Foundation Establishment expert!'
The next moment, he hit the ground hard.
"Spare me, Senior, spare me! The Dragon Blood Carp is in the Storage Bag. Please, just take it!"
Seeing his utter terror, Yang Jing planted a foot on his head.
"Your master is preparing for Foundation Establishment. He must have a large stash of Spirit Stones and other resources. Where does he hide them? What Array protects his Cave Mansion? And where do you keep the Token to get past it?"
He asked, his voice disguised.
Without a moment's hesitation, Xu Hongzhi spilled everything he knew. If he had been facing a Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivator, he might have tried to be brave. But since this was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator looking to make a move on his master, he sold him out without a second thought.
Yang Jing retrieved the Storage Bag and the Token from his body. He gripped the Token, which was engraved with the character for "Qiu," then yanked the sack off Xu Hongzhi's head.
"No! No! No!"
Xu Hongzhi squeezed his eyes shut, squealing like a pig being slaughtered.
"Open your eyes. Take a look at who I am."
Yang Jing said.
Xu Hongzhi recognized Yang Jing's voice. His eyes shot open, and the terror on his face froze, as if he were staring at an Evil Ghost.
"It's you!"
The next instant, the Demon-slaying Sword pierced straight through his head.
Expressionless, Yang Jing activated a Red Fire Talisman, incinerating Xu Hongzhi's corpse until not a trace remained.