Chapter 78

“Linghu, what do you make of this?”

Elder Yu inquired during their return journey.

Yang Linghu pondered before answering, “I initially opposed Tian Yu’s proposal, but upon reflection, parts of it hold merit.”

“Having two cultivators suppress the valley’s dark energy wouldn’t be difficult or time-consuming. Even if the energy later erupts, our family remains unharmed—worst case, we’d just delay reopening the distant mine.”

“From pure self-interest, accepting this deal grants us a cleansing elixir and earns Tian Yu’s favor.”

He paused, brow furrowing. “Yet something feels wrong. I can’t explain why.”

Elder Yu nodded. “I share your unease. This reeks of scheming. Let Lingqing decide when we return.”

Midway home, they encountered Yang Lingrui approaching from the opposite path. Having entrusted Wu Tong to Zhao Qi’s care, he’d rushed north immediately.

Spotting a familiar shadow, Yang Linghu blinked before shouting excitedly, “Lingrui’s back!”

Yang Lingrui landed smoothly, clasping his hands in greeting. “Elder Yu, Brother Linghu. I’ve returned unharmed.”

“Excellent! What relief!” Elder Yu’s shoulders relaxed visibly.

As the trio walked, Yang Lingrui recounted his experiences at the ceremonial gathering. News of Yang Guanfeng’s safety at the border drew sighs of relief.

“True to his reputation—the Elder excels wherever he goes,” Yang Linghu remarked.

“Taking Han Wang away proved wiser than we imagined,” Elder Yu added.

When Yang Lingrui mentioned their family’s remaining stockpile of over a thousand spiritual crystals, both listeners froze, certain they’d misheard.

“Brother Hu—these Tiger Head Arm Guards suit mid-stage Gathering Qi cultivation.” Yang Lingrui produced the gleaming spiritual treasure.

“Let me try!” The arm guards fit snugly without restricting movement. Infusing spiritual power triggered three seven-inch claws from the fingertips. “Magnificent! My thanks, Lingrui!”

“Elder Yu, I’d brought you Mystic Iron Soft Armor, but—”

“Hush. Its life-saving role outweighed my need.” The Elder waved dismissively.

Yang Lingrui’s account shifted their perspectives on Sanglu Valley and Tian Yu’s proposal. Upon reaching home, Elder Yu summoned Yang Lingqing to the ancestral hall for urgent consultation.

After listening to Old Yu explain the situation, Yang Lingqing began to ponder.

Yang Linghu first shared his thoughts, but Yang Lingrui shook his head after hearing them.

“Brother Hu, you make sense, but acting this way would make our Yang Family no different from the Su Family.”

Yang Lingrui said firmly, “We shouldn’t take the cleansing elixir, and we must handle this. Tian Yu’s twisting words. During the monster tide, we protected the outskirts’ people without charge. Staying or leaving, joining family soldiers—all their own choices. No force.”

“We’ve never exploited common folk under our rule or abused cultivator power to steal. That’s our core difference.”

Yang Linghu found this reasonable yet couldn’t untangle the two arguments, scratching his head.

“Ah! My head itches! Can’t think! Lingqing, explain!”

All three looked at Yang Lingqing.

After a pause, she smiled.

“Our Mayor Tian schemes well indeed.”

“Both your points hold merit, but Tian Yu led you astray from the start.”

“Led astray? How?”

“Sanglu Valley’s trouble didn’t stem from us. Why’s it our concern?”

Yang Lingqing continued, “As the saying goes: ‘Poor? Tend yourself. Rich? Aid all.’ Our Yang Family isn’t grand—holding our land’s achievement enough. No strength to save the world.”

Hearing this, Yang Lingrui and Yang Linghu grasped her meaning. Old Yu watched Yang Lingqing approvingly.

Thankfully, the Yang Family had Yang Guanfeng’s successor. Else, they’d suffer greatly.

“Tian Yu’s ‘common folk theory’ secretly guided your thoughts. Following his logic traps you.”

“Take the cleansing elixir? Suppress dark energy? When it erupts, people die. If the Dynasty investigates, labeling us wicked accomplices—could we bear that?”

“Don’t take it but still act? We’d be others’ tools. Our efforts solve the problem, Dynasty merits go to Tian Yu. What do we get? A mere ‘Thanks, Yang Family’?”

Yang Lingqing’s words clarified everything.

“Right! This isn’t our problem!” Yang Linghu slapped his thigh. “Tian Yu schemes against us for no reason! Infuriating!”

Yang Lingrui stayed silent, coldness in his eyes. He’d fallen for the trap too—wanting to prove Yang Family different from nobles after the Su Family’s fate. His naivety showed now.

“Don’t rage yet. We still handle this,” Yang Lingqing said.

“Handle it? Become pawns?”

“Handle it—but how, when, how much? That’s key.”

She smiled, then her aura turned sharp, face hardening unusually.

“Since Mayor Tian loves scheming, I’ll scheme back. Let’s see who laughs last!”

Nearby, eavesdropping Chen Yang startled—he’d never seen Yang Lingqing so fierce.

“Rare seeing Lingqing fired up! A good show coming!” he thought. “Poor Tian—scheming the Yang Family? Doom awaits!”