Translator: CinderTL
Ma Tianqing was stunned, "There's someone behind the Jin family?"
"Your family's cultivation method is a path to immortality. How could a small family like the Jin dare to covet it? If word got out, the Jin family would end up just like the Ma family," Xu Sanyan continued to deceive in a low voice.
"Big brother, please teach me," Ma Tianqing knelt on one knee and clasped his fists.
Xu Sanyan helped him up and pondered for a moment, "First, calm down. Let's investigate who's behind the Jin family, and then I'll help you seek revenge."
"How can I trouble you like this, Brother Xu? You've already saved my life. I can't drag you into this," Ma Tianqing stepped forward, visibly moved.
Xu Sanyan sighed, "Let's just say it's repaying the kindness Master Ma once showed me. But I'm not very powerful, so I can only offer limited help."
Ma Tianqing wanted to speak again, but Xu Sanyan stopped him, insisting, "It's settled. I can't let a young child like you seek revenge alone. How could I face Master Ma in the afterlife if I didn't help you?"
Ma Tianqing was overwhelmed with gratitude. Brother Xu was truly a good man—not only had he saved his life, but he also showed no greed for his family's cultivation method, and even provided him with spirit stones and money without hesitation.
Xu Sanyan furrowed his brows deeply, "You just said the bandit leader is dead? What happened?"
Ma Tianqing hesitated, unsure how to explain.
Seeing this, Xu Sanyan tactfully said, "If it's inconvenient, you don't have to tell me."
Encouraged by his words, Ma Tianqing gritted his teeth. Brother Xu had treated him so well—how could he hide anything? "Brother, please don't take offense. I just don't know how to start."
"You may not know this, but our family's cultivation method was brought back by our ancestor from the upper sect. This method can forge a Dao Foundation, which is divided into three grades: upper, middle, and lower. The lower-grade Dao Foundation is called the Blood Demon Dao Foundation, which is what our ancestor forged."
Xu Sanyan nodded slightly, "Go on."
Having said this much, Ma Tianqing held nothing back, "The Blood Demon Dao Foundation has obvious flaws and a short lifespan, but it has one advantage: it can transform into a Blood Demon Body, which is incredibly powerful in battle. So, before our ancestor passed away, he left behind a secret technique that could turn his corpse into a Blood Demon to protect the Ma family's descendants."
"You were unconscious because of this?"
Ma Tianqing nodded, "Exactly. Normally, the Blood Demon can be controlled with spiritual power, but none of the Ma family descendants have crossed the Celestial Being threshold. So, we had to use our own life force to control it, which led to my coma."
Xu Sanyan nodded slowly, "This Blood Demon is your ancestor, so I assume only members of the Ma family can control it?"
Ma Tianqing shook his head, "Anyone who learns the secret technique and connects it with their own blood can control it. However, during the control process, emotions are lost, and the mind becomes chaotic, which can endanger those around."
Xu Sanyan lowered his head, his thoughts swirling. So, that monster was the Blood Demon Body—truly formidable.
"You mentioned the upper sect earlier. Why have I never heard of it?" Xu Sanyan asked again.
Ma Tianqing shook his head, "I don't know what the upper sect is called, but my grandfather told me that our Qi Kingdom is remote, especially the northwest, which is desolate and lacks spiritual energy and resources. That's why few cultivators come here."
Xu Sanyan nodded, now understanding.
Ma Tianqing added, "This is just what I heard from my grandfather, Brother Xu. You don't have to take it as fact."
Xu Sanyan nodded slowly, then steered the conversation back, whispering, "This Blood Demon technique is truly fascinating, sparking my curiosity…"
Ma Tianqing looked conflicted, his lips moving hesitantly, but he ultimately said nothing. His grandfather had warned him never to reveal the Blood Demon technique to outsiders.
Seeing this, Xu Sanyan didn't press further. It wouldn't be good to arouse suspicion. Instead, he said, "Let's start by investigating the Jin family. Wait here while I go alone to scout the situation."
"I'll go with you, Brother," Ma Tianqing immediately offered.
"No need," Xu Sanyan shook his head. "The Jin family knows your face. I'm a stranger, so it's better if I go alone."
In truth, Xu Sanyan was afraid of encountering the bandits and exposing his identity.
Ma Tianqing thought about it and realized Brother Xu had a point, so he didn't argue further. "Then I'll trouble you, Brother."
"Don't be so formal. Master Ma treated me well in the past. From today on, we're brothers," Xu Sanyan patted his shoulder.
Ma Tianqing, deeply moved, nodded heavily. "Thank you, Brother."
Xu Sanyan turned and left.
As Ma Tianqing watched his retreating figure, a warm feeling rose in his heart.
His family had been wiped out, leaving him as the sole survivor of the once-great Ma family. In his panic and confusion, Brother Xu had appeared.
Not only had he saved his life, but he also showed no greed for the family's cultivation method, even risking danger to help him seek revenge. Wasn't this the very image of a righteous hero from the stories?
Brother Xu had shown him such great kindness, yet he didn't know how to repay him. When Brother Xu showed interest in the Blood Demon technique, he still clung to the family's old rules and refused to share it.
But what use were these rules now that the Ma family was gone?
Besides, Brother Xu wasn't an outsider—he was his savior. Surely, his grandfather's spirit would understand.
Ma Tianqing steadied his mind and noticed a pen and paper on the nearby desk. After a moment's hesitation, he picked them up and began to write.
The pen and paper had naturally been placed there by Xu Sanyan—it was no coincidence.
Ma Tianqing was still too young and had grown up in the sheltered environment of the Ma family, surrounded by kind elders. He had never experienced the treachery of the world and was far too trusting.
In this world, no one does you favors without reason, especially not risking their lives to help you. If you encounter such a person, you should think twice.
If they're not after your money, they're after something far greater!
...
Xu Sanyan left the house and headed toward the Jin family. He truly wanted to see what had happened to them—had Zhou Chaoxian wiped them out?
Arriving outside the Jin family's grand courtyard, the place was dark and eerily silent, not a single candle lit. Xu Sanyan nimbly scaled the wall and found a scene of carnage—corpses littered the ground, their deaths gruesome.
Xu Sanyan examined the bodies and their wounds. Most had been killed by blades, likely the work of soldiers.
The government's standard-issue swords were different from the ones they commonly used, and the wounds they left were slightly distinct.
The soldiers' swords had a greater curvature, leaving short but deep wounds, while their bandit swords had a lesser curvature, resulting in longer but shallower cuts.
Experienced martial artists who frequently dealt in killing could easily tell the difference.
It seemed Jin Penglai had taken most of the Jin family's fighters with him, only to have them wiped out in one fell swoop. This left the Jin family's defenses weak, allowing Zhou Chaoxian to destroy them so easily.
Perhaps it was poetic justice. Jin Penglai had coveted the Ma family's cultivation method and conspired with two groups of bandits to launch a sneak attack.
Though he succeeded in wiping out the Ma family, he also brought about his own downfall, not only losing his life but also causing the extinction of the Jin family.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c40. [+6]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (6) Series, (3K+) Chapters, (4.2M+) Words.
💥Flat 30% Discount on All Tiers Available Till 26th July, Use Code 3KCHAPTERS to Avail.
If you want to support me, consider becoming a patron, or you can also help me for FREE by giving this book powerstones, reviews, comments and recommendations.