Chapter 204: Family Letter

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The moment that beast-like roar erupted, the expert who had injured several Xie Family guards instantly moved. His movements were equally swift as lightning, covering several meters between them in a single step, arriving beside Xie Mingjin.

This person extended his wrist, somehow moving faster than Xie Mingjin's attack, and blocked the hidden weapon Xie Mingjin had thrown.

Xie Mingjin's heart immediately sank to rock bottom. Such formidable and terrifying martial skill, within the Xie Family, perhaps only Eldest Uncle and his father could achieve it.

He immediately understood that the person who had jumped down from the horse should be a top Acquired Stage expert at the Tenth Level of Inner Strength.

After intercepting the hidden weapon, the man still struck with a palm. This palm wasn't fierce, nor did it contain much power, but its movement was extremely swift.

Xie Mingjin had just leaped out, trying his best to avoid the palm strike, but before he could truly react, he felt a strong force hit his body, and then a bone-piercing pain rapidly spread from the point of impact throughout his entire being.

His body flew several meters through the air before heavily landing on the ground, his face already contorted with excessive pain. But at that moment, he had clearly seen the appearance of the rider on the horse and the face of the person who had sent him flying.

And the faces of these two individuals were now forever etched in his mind...

The riders on horseback departed like the wind. The Tenth Level of Inner Strength expert also left with the cavalry, but before he left, he noticed the luxurious carriage parked on the side of the main road.

Upon seeing the insignia on the carriage, the person paused slightly, then his face changed, and he quickly caught up with the cavalry, disappearing into the distance.

However, after catching up with the cavalry, he immediately gave an order to one of the members in the team. Although that member was puzzled and unimpressed, he dared not disobey. He dismounted as ordered and quietly left, returning to the original spot to secretly observe everything that followed.

Xie Mingjin lay on the ground, twitching for a while, before finally recovering from the intense pain. When he struggled to stand up, he saw Yuan Lixun, looking disheveled. When he clearly saw Yuan Lixun's face, he couldn't help but gasp.

At this moment, there was a long, deep bloody mark on Yuan Lixun's face. Xie Mingjin immediately thought of the peculiar whip strike delivered by the leading rider.

He immediately understood that the person's action was absolutely deliberate. That whip strike was aimed directly at Yuan Lixun's face.

Although Yuan Lixun herself had Inner Energy cultivation at the sixth level, not inferior to his own, Xie Mingjin, having been meticulously trained by Xie Nuanyi since childhood, had rich experience in combat, while Yuan Lixun was a complete novice.

So, upon encountering this sudden whip strike, Yuan Lixun didn't even have a chance to dodge and was hit directly.

However, she was the only one among them who had not come into contact with that terrifying Tenth Level of Inner Strength expert, so apart from the whip mark on her face, she had no other injuries.

At this moment, the two coachmen of the luxurious carriage finally arrived. They had been helpless after witnessing the scene, and only dared to come to help after the group of riders had ridden away.

Xie Mingjin's face had turned ashen. He stepped forward and said, "Sister-in-law, please get in the carriage first."

Yuan Lixun could naturally feel the burning pain on her face, and as a girl, she cared greatly about her appearance. Knowing that her face was definitely disfigured, her heart was in turmoil and she was at a loss.

Hearing Xie Mingjin's words, she nodded instinctively and got into the carriage.

Xie Mingjin turned, faced the two coachmen, and said sternly, "Sirs, whose residence did those people who just passed belong to?"

The two coachmen exchanged glances and smiled bitterly. The slightly older one said, "Those people rode too fast, so we couldn't see clearly."

Xie Mingjin's heart immediately flared with anger. He had observed their actions earlier and had already guessed that they knew the background of that group. It was just that they were wary and dared not speak out.

His face darkened slightly, but his gaze shifted to the group of guards, who were struggling to stand up but all looked pained. He had no choice but to suppress the anger in his chest.

These two in front of him were not ordinary coachmen. If he forced them without powerful strength, his injured companions might not even be able to stop them.

Xie Mingjin forced a smile onto his face, but whether it was due to his injuries or his bad mood, this smile was uglier than a cry.

"Two Eldest Brothers, please take us back."

The two men were relieved when Xie Mingjin no longer pressed them about the identity of the riders. As for taking Xie Mingjin and Yuan Lixun back, that was their duty, so they readily agreed, and their actions were cautious, even more so than usual.

The group of swift horses continued to gallop down the center of the main road. After passing through half the city, they finally stopped in front of a grand estate.

The leading figure leaped down, his expression quite displeased, seemingly infuriated by something.

After he dismounted, the other riders also dismounted and followed him into the estate.

The Tenth Level of Inner Strength peak Acquired Stage expert quickly stepped forward a few paces and said, "Fourth Prince."

The leading figure was none other than Bu Xingcong, the Fourth Prince of Tufan Kingdom. He had gone out of the city today to hunt in the suburbs with the Second Prince of Kairong Country. However, the final result was that he fell short and ultimately lost.

That's why he was so furious, galloping through the center of the main road at top speed after entering the city.

Along the way, he had also run into some Kairong Country nobles who could normally walk in the middle of the road. But compared to his status, these were minor matters and not enough to vent his anger.

However, upon hearing the chief guard's voice, Bu Xingcong paused and asked, "Bu Rong, what is it?"

Bu Rong hesitated. "Your Highness, those few people we encountered earlier seemed to have some background."

Bu Xingcong snorted coldly. "What background? Can Kairong Country's laws still control me?"

Although Bu Rong was displeased, he dared not express it.

Given Bu Xingcong's status, and his presence near Mu Jintian, even if he collided with a member of Kairong Country's imperial family, as long as no irreversible fatalities occurred, everything could be negotiated.

At the very least, out of respect for Mu Jintian and the Tufan Kingdom, it would probably only involve a small monetary compensation to settle the matter.

However, this time, the situation might not be so simple.

Bu Rong smiled bitterly. "Your Highness, when I caught up earlier, I saw a carriage parked on the side of the main road, and these few people seemed to be the owners of that carriage."

Bu Xingcong snorted. "What kind of carriage? Whose family's?"

His tone conveyed an indifferent attitude, as if he didn't care for the noble families of Kairong Country.

Sighing inwardly, Bu Rong knew that Fourth Prince had grown accustomed to unrestrained behavior in his own country, and had brought that bad habit with him to Kairong Country.

However, this was, after all, one of the Three Great Northwestern Powers, on par with Tufan Kingdom, not some subordinate state of Tufan. His Highness's actions would likely bring unnecessary trouble to their country.

However, Bu Rong did not know that Bu Xingcong's temper had brought them not a small, petty trouble, but a massive one that even Mu Jintian would be unable to bear.

Seeing hesitation on Bu Rong's face, Bu Xingcong said impatiently, "Whose carriage is it, exactly?"

Bu Rong looked up helplessly, lowering his voice slightly. "Your Highness, it's the exclusive carriage of Kairong Country's Masters Hall."

Bu Xingcong was startled. This time, a grave expression appeared on his face. Although he was arrogant and reckless, he at least knew the status of an Innate expert in a country. More importantly, Innate experts possessed powerful individual martial strength. If one decided to disregard their status and assassinate someone secretly, even Mu Jintian couldn't guarantee to protect their life.

Because he couldn't stay by Mu Jintian's side forever, could he? Otherwise, it would be tantamount to house arrest.

As he thought of this, a rare hint of irritation appeared on his face. "Go investigate which Innate master's family we encountered."

Bu Rong bowed his head, responding softly.

Behind them, the other attendants finally understood the identities of the people they had just encountered. They couldn't help but feel lucky that they had encountered the family members of an Innate expert, and not the Innate expert himself. Otherwise, those groaning on the ground right now wouldn't be those people, but themselves.

Before long, the person Bu Rong had arranged earlier had successfully returned.

When Bu Xingcong learned that the carriage had not entered Kairong Country's Masters Hall, but instead entered the Embassy District arranged by Kairong Country for its subordinate nations, the heavy stone in his heart was immediately lifted by half.

As long as it wasn't a master from Kairong Country, they wouldn't receive Kairong Country's full support. And those Nation Protecting Masters from the small countries? If they paid the appropriate price, it should be easily resolved. After all, not every Innate expert was willing to offend Mu Jintian and the Tufan Kingdom behind him over this matter.

Within the Embassy District, He Yiming calmly arrived at the courtyard where Master Shui Xuanjin resided.

Within the Embassy District, the most respected individuals were undoubtedly the Innate experts. They were the pillars of their respective nations, and the treatment they received naturally matched their status.

The courtyard where Shui Xuanjin resided was not only large but also exquisitely elegant, even somewhat similar to his Shaoming Residence in Tianluo Country. This showed that Kairong Country paid extraordinary attention to these foreign Innate experts, exerting great effort to gather information about their preferences.

This was also a manifestation of national power. At least in Tianluo Country, it would be impossible to achieve such perfection. Of course, with Tianluo Country's prestige, it would also be difficult to invite so many Innate experts to the capital, so even building such an estate at all costs would be useless.

He Yiming strolled through the estate, without the slightest worry in his heart.

He believed that if something truly urgent had happened, then it wouldn't have been Xie Mingjin who came to find him, but rather several of Shui Xuanjin's disciples, or even Shui Xuanjin himself.

Before stepping into the courtyard, He Yiming had already sensed two powerful auras within. These were two auras that had already communicated with Heaven and Earth Qi in some way, representing two esteemed Innate experts.

When these Innate experts did not conceal their own aura, other experts of the same rank could easily locate their positions and determine their numbers.

A moment later, He Yiming had arrived at a certain pavilion.

As his feet stepped onto the pavilion, he heard Shui Xuanjin's familiar voice. "Brother He, you've returned so quickly!"

He Yiming smiled wryly. "Elder Brother invited me, how dare your younger brother delay?"

Shui Xuanjin burst into laughter. Hearing He Yiming's words, which were half flattery and half respect, he was indeed quite pleased. To make such a friend at the final stage of his life was truly the greatest fortune of his life. But he also understood that this was because He Yiming knew his time was short, which was why he was so polite.

In contrast, Ting Shi Guang, who sat opposite him, still showed a look of regret.

He was the first Innate expert he encountered after He Yiming became an Innate expert.

If he had known earlier that He Yiming would accept Tianluo Country's invitation and serve as a Nation Protecting Master for a small country, he would have spared no effort to invite He Yiming to serve as Fire Crow Country's Nation Protecting Master.

But it was too late now. Some things, once missed, could never be recovered.

"Brother He, please have a seat," Shui Xuanjin, who had already risen, said with a genial smile.

Seeing that Shui Xuanjin wasn't rushing to deliver any bad news, He Yiming felt even more assured. He sat down beside the two Innate experts, saw the tea on the table, poured himself a cup, and took a sip. He smacked his lips twice, unable to appreciate it at all.

Seeing his expression, Ting Shi Guang couldn't help but shake his head in silence, sighing, "What a pity, what a pity."

Shui Xuanjin, however, laughed heartily. "Each has his own path. A clear mind and acting spontaneously is the true way."

He Yiming naturally knew what Ting Shi Guang was lamenting. He couldn't help but smile, "Brother Ting, to me, so-called famous teas, once brewed, are just a kind of water that quenches thirst better. Some people might use the Way of Tea to improve their personal cultivation, but that path is definitely not suitable for me."

Ting Shi Guang paused. He pondered for a moment, then finally nodded. "Brother He is right. There are a thousand great paths, and the path suitable for each person is different."

Shui Xuanjin also sighed deeply. "In this world, there are so many things that can stir our hearts, and even with our lifespan, we cannot fully explore them. It is our honor to find something that we can fully devote ourselves to."

Ting Shi Guang looked at Shui Xuanjin in surprise. He vaguely sensed that his old friend's mindset seemed to have changed greatly from before. He even had a sense of detachment from worldly affairs. And this psychological change was often a hundred times harder than the growth of True Qi. He truly didn't understand how he had seen through all of this.

"Brother Shui, your cultivation has taken a great step forward compared to ten years ago," Ting Shi Guang said sincerely. "I truly don't know when I'll be able to catch up to you."

Shui Xuanjin's eyes immediately showed a hint of peculiarity. He smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Ting, my ability to break through the shackles of my mind was actually an accidental result of necessity. You don't need to envy me."

Ting Shi Guang was greatly puzzled, while the light in He Yiming's eyes dimmed slightly.

The matter of Shui Xuanjin's impending death was not known to all. Without He Yiming's peculiar sense, even Su Jun, without making a move, would not have been able to ascertain his true condition.

So these Innate experts did not know that the reason Shui Xuanjin's state of mind had undergone such a change was actually because he knew his end was near, which allowed him to suddenly comprehend things he had previously failed to see.

But this was merely a liberation of thought. If he wished to advance further, given his age and strength, it was utterly impossible.

He Yiming coughed lightly, diverting the somber topic. "Elder Brother Shui, why did you ask me to return?"

Shui Xuanjin tossed him a sealed letter. "This came from the He Family Village back home. It's addressed specifically to you for immediate personal reading."

He Yiming nodded slightly, glancing at the seal, knowing it hadn't been tampered with. Then, he tore open the envelope and took out the letter inside.

After casually scanning a few lines, a smile immediately appeared on He Yiming's face.

Shui Xuanjin asked curiously, "Brother He, is something the matter?"

He Yiming put the letter away and said, "It's nothing major, just that an elder from my family has returned to the village, so it reassures me."

The content of the letter was simple: He Laibao had returned to He Family Village with five Inner Energy ninth-level Hengshan Mountain disciples to take charge.

Among these five disciples, two were descendants of He Wujin from Spirit Medicine Peak, and the other three were personal disciples of Lu Zhengyi.

With their return to He Family Village alongside He Laibao, the village's peak martial power instantly rose to be the top in Taichong County. As long as no Innate expert appeared, He Family Village would remain as stable as Mount Tai.

What reassured He Yiming even more was that Eldest Uncle was also doing well in Hengshan Mountain. Because of He Yiming, the four residing elders and the Supreme Elder of the Hengshan Mountain lineage now viewed him in a new light.

All the Spirit Medicine on Spirit Medicine Peak were made available to him, and they personally guided him on his martial cultivation path.

With such powerful external conditions, if He Quanxin still couldn't successfully advance to Innate, then it was simply his fate, something beyond human intervention.

The three chatted for a while, exchanging insights on their martial arts.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from afar, heading directly towards He Yiming's residence.

He Yiming's ears twitched slightly, and his face instantly changed drastically. Without even a word of greeting, he stomped his feet and instantly vanished into the distance...

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Chapter 205: Whip Scar