Chapter 93 - 80: The Celestial Stele’s Affinity, Lu Doesn’t Eat Beef

Blood splattered in all directions.

Xu Guang remained expressionless as he watched Lu Ren’s corpse slowly collapse to the ground. He turned to Wang Wen. "Wen, did you see clearly? In this kind of world, don’t provoke others recklessly. But if trouble comes knocking, don’t be afraid. Just kill them..."

Wang Wen looked frightened, yet a feverish excitement flickered in his eyes. He thought to himself that his uncle was just like before, killing people with a smile, and that he wanted to be exactly like that when he grew up.

"We’ll let it go this time, but don’t be so impulsive next time," Xu Guang continued.

"Uncle, when can I practice martial arts?" Wang Wen asked in a low voice, observing Xu Guang’s expression.

"At least until you are fourteen, when your body is fully developed."

Wang Wen immediately grew excited. "Okay! I will study hard, practice archery, and learn everything the teacher taught me. I want to be just like you, Uncle!"

Looking at his nephew’s eager face, Xu Guang instructed the Feiyun Guard soldier who had escorted the boy, "Escort the young master home. While you’re at it, inform my brother-in-law of this incident and tell him I have already handled it."

Standing nearby, Song Tao ordered men to carry Lu Ren’s corpse outside before asking in a low voice, "Lord Ming, what about the aftermath?"

Xu Guang smiled. "Find someone with good handwriting to draft a confession letter for me, and hand it to Lord Duan. Just say that I was behaving improperly due to alcohol, accidentally killed Centurion Lu, and am willing to pay Hundred Gold in compensation."

"What about Marshal Du Fei’s side..."

"He’s nothing but a petty villain. He wants my territory, yet only dares to use such underhanded, unpresentable methods." Xu Guang cursed softly and turned to leave.

He did not believe for a second that this was truly an accident.

Returning on a snowy, windy night.

When Xu Guang stepped into the courtyard wearing a large black cloak, Ji Xiaolu was already waiting for him. Her expression was laced with worry, making it clear that she knew about what had happened during the day.

"Husband, about Wen..."

"It’s fine. Don’t worry, it’s already been handled."

Ji Xiaolu nodded, then added, "There’s likely someone else behind this. Yesterday, your eldest sister came over. She said the Wang Family wants her husband to return and even plans to find him a second wife. The two of them had a massive argument. Afterward, he took some men to the Wang Family and struck his own name from their family registry."

A fierce, ruthless look crossed Xu Guang’s face as Du Fei’s true intentions suddenly dawned on him. It seemed yesterday’s events had provoked Du Fei into targeting Xu Guang’s family!

Wang Ming and Xu Chun only had one child. If something were to happen to Wang Wen, wouldn’t that give Wang Ming the perfect excuse to take a second wife?

"Tomorrow, have the Messenger Owl deliver a letter. Tell Wen to stay at our place. With Ghostly Roar and Hai here, he’ll be well-protected."

"Okay."

"Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s go to sleep."

Ji Xiaolu obediently returned to the bed and transferred her excess Essence of Life to Xu Guang.

At Feitian Tower in Sui Square.

Du Fei sat boldly in his chair, his expression shifting unpredictably. As he stared at the item Xu Guang had sent over, an uncontrollable fire flickered in his eyes.

"Damn it, damn him! Who the hell does he think he is to treat me like this? A lowly mud-legged peasant actually dares to despise me!" He glared at the words on the letter, recklessly venting the fury in his heart.

"Did this really come from the City Guard’s Mansion?" he asked.

"Yes," his subordinate answered cautiously.

No one could have expected Xu Guang to be so unyielding. Right after killing Lu Ren, he immediately penned a letter in blood, challenging Du Fei to a duel at the end of the year. And it was to be a duel to the death!

Du Fei gradually calmed down and asked softly, "Did Master say anything else?"

"The Sect Leader said it is up to you to decide."

Du Fei’s face turned icy. Suppressing his burning rage, he turned back to his seat, restoring his usual facade of an elegant gentleman. "Send a thousand gold coins to Kang Square. It seems there is some misunderstanding between Marshal Xu and myself."

"Understood."

Xu Guang distributed the money Du Fei had sent among his subordinates, reminding them to be careful in the coming days and to seek out Marshal Nie if any trouble arose.

Meanwhile, bathed in the early morning light, he rode a large dark roan horse out of the city.

After reaching the Refining Viscera stage, his strength progression had slowed down despite having abundant Essence Blood. A lingering unease constantly urged Xu Guang to improve his power, so he decided to head out and refine the Bright God Pill. He spurred his horse on, traveling much faster than his previous trips to Qingyang Mountain. Soon, Xu Guang spotted the elm grove where he had previously encountered Huang Silang.

A large bird flew over from the sky, letting out a sharp cry before landing on Xu Guang’s shoulder like a swallow returning to its nest. It rubbed its head against Xu Guang’s, seeming somewhat aggrieved.

Xu Guang cut open his palm and squeezed out a few drops of Essence Blood to feed the Messenger Owl.

This little fellow had been stationed here all this time, collecting the Iron Sand that washed up from the deep Water Pool. This Iron Sand had excellent conductivity for Power, and perhaps possessed other unknown properties as well.

Instead of rushing up the mountain, Xu Guang first followed the Messenger Owl to a tree hollow. A small pile of Iron Sand had already accumulated inside, weighing roughly ten pounds. It was a bit too little. After finishing the Bright God Pill, he would have to find a way to explore the bottom of the Water Pool.

After hiding the Iron Sand again, Xu Guang comforted the Messenger Owl for a while, left his horse behind, and proceeded toward Qingyang Mountain.

The mountain path was difficult to traverse on horseback, so it was better for him to proceed on foot. Ascending the mountain once again, Xu Guang moved at a rapid pace.

Outside Feiyun City, upon the Wei River.

Du Fei stood expressionlessly at the bow of a boat with a group of subordinates.

"That kid is not to be trifled with," Du Fei said, looking at a person wearing a bamboo hat inside the cabin.

"Are you certain that Xu Guang is a diehard loyalist of Duan Jue?"

Du Fei replied with absolute certainty, "Yes. He kept a low profile before, but he has always been under the care of the Feiyun Guard, to the point where Li Zongkang personally spoke up for him. Right after breaking through to the Refining Viscera stage, he couldn’t wait to join the Feiyun Guard and was easily entrusted with heavy responsibilities by Duan Jue. He must have been Duan Jue’s dog from the very beginning!"

"Damn it!" the man in the bamboo hat cursed angrily, murderous intent flashing in his eyes. "Didn’t he challenge you to a duel to the death? Why did you refuse?"