"Young Master, are you sure about letting him leave like this? What if something happens?"
Yun'Er was a little worried.
Yang Xiao smiled. "It's fine. But just in case, I need you to head back in a bit. Don't worry, everything is under my control!"
"No, I'm not leaving!"
The young maid was quite stubborn.
Yang Xiao felt a headache coming on.
He really didn't want the young maid to stay here. Besides, he had originally planned to go to Juhua Studio to ask if Spirit Medicine Peak had any Fifth-level Fire-Attribute Spirit Medicine.
But just a moment ago, Liu Tianming had already said it.
Not even Spirit Medicine Peak had any Fifth-level Fire-Attribute Spirit Medicine.
'Besides, that old dog Liu Junyi should be here soon. When he arrives, I have plenty of ways to make him fetch a Fifth-level Spirit Medicine.'
'There's no need to go see Elder Yao anymore.'
'The only problem is, this whole process will clearly be dangerous. It might even let the young maid see my bloodthirsty side.'
That was why Yang Xiao wanted her to leave.
But now…
"How about this: you go back first and find Yang Xiong and Yang Lang. If I'm not back in two hours, bring them here to rescue me. You see, that old dog Liu Junyi is bound to bring some experts with him. If things turn hostile, I'll really be in danger."
"But…"
The young maid was swayed.
"Alright, hurry up and go. Remember, only bring Yang Xiong and the others if I'm not back after two hours, okay? Otherwise, you'll ruin my plans."
Hearing her master say this, Yun'Er finally nodded.
And with that, she left.
As she left, Yang Xiao saw the worry on her face, but also a look of grim determination.
He knew the young maid must be imagining the worst.
But what was at stake today was too important. Yang Xiao was determined to see it through.
Besides, he wasn't in any real danger. Even if Liu the Dog turned on him, he had ways to keep him in check. There was nothing to fear.
'The young maid's worry will likely only last for a little while,' he thought.
What he didn't know, however…
…was that this incident would drive Yun'Er, who had never enjoyed cultivating, to begin training with bitter resolve.
In the future, she would achieve great things.
Her accomplishments would leave everyone in awe.
...
Less than half an hour later, Liu Tianming returned.
Just as Yang Xiao had predicted, he hadn't only brought back Liu Junyi, but several others as well.
These men were all loyal servants of the Liu Family.
Their strength was at least at the level of a Seventh-Tier Martial Artist. One of them, the Liu Family's Chief Steward, Liu Neng, was shockingly an Innate Grand Martial Master.
Furthermore, his cultivation was not low; he was a 4th-Layer Innate Grand Martial Master.
He was the Liu Family's strongest combatant.
He was second only to Liu Junyi, the Great Pharmacist who was a Seventh-Layer Innate Grand Martial Master.
"You little bastard! What in the world did you do to Tianming? Undo it right now! Otherwise, not even your father could save you today!"
The moment he saw Yang Xiao, Liu Junyi's face was a mask of fury.
He had just tried to undo the so-called Death Array on Liu Tianming.
But his attempt had only made things worse, causing Liu Tianming even greater pain.
The acupoints Yang Xiao had struck had accumulated even more Fire Elemental Power due to his meddling with his Innate True Qi. It felt as though they would explode at the slightest touch.
After that, Liu Junyi didn't dare try again.
He had no choice but to hastily gather a few trusted men and rush over.
When he arrived, he saw that good-for-nothing Yang Xiao sitting there, perfectly at ease, while his own family retainers were still kneeling on the ground.
They weren't moving at all.
A wave of fury washed over him, and he roared at Yang Xiao.
"Is that so? It seems you really don't care whether your son lives or dies. Since you dare to speak to me like that, you can just let him wait for death!"
But Yang Xiao wasn't falling for it.
He just gave a cold smile.
This made Liu Junyi even more furious.
However, Liu Tianming, who was beside him, grew anxious. "Father, for my sake, please just bear with it."
"Tianming! Fine. Yang Xiao, what do you want? As long as it's not too outrageous, I'll agree to it," Liu Junyi said with a cold snort.
"Anything?"
"Yes."
"Then kneel. The last time you deceived my father, I told you not to even think about revenge. Since my words went in one ear and out the other, I won't be letting you off so easily this time!"
Yang Xiao's face was cold and hard.
Liu Junyi, however, looked ready to explode with rage.
He desperately wanted to lash out and kill Yang Xiao with a single palm strike.
But his son's life was in Yang Xiao's hands. If he killed Yang Xiao, his own son would die too. It wasn't worth it.
After all, in all these years, though he'd had countless wives and concubines, this was his only son.
He treasured him more than anything.
Otherwise, Yang Xiao would never have let Liu Tianming return in the first place.
"Fine, I'll kneel! I beg you, please save my Tianming!"
After a long moment of hesitation, Liu Junyi knelt.
For him, this was the ultimate humiliation.
But being a man of deep cunning, he channeled his humiliation into hatred. The moment his son was cured, he would turn on Yang Xiao without a shred of mercy.
"You two, father and son, you really think you're the smartest people in the world and everyone else is an idiot, don't you?"
But Yang Xiao just sneered.
"You!"
Liu Junyi was enraged.
His face flushed crimson, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood from sheer rage.
"Young man, what is it you really want?"
The Liu Family's Chief Steward spoke up.
He helped Liu Junyi to his feet and stared at Yang Xiao.
He looked as if he was ready to attack at the slightest provocation.
"Oh? You old dog. Looks like you want to kill me. Why don't you give it a try?"
Liu Neng's expression froze.
He said nothing.
"If you want me to save him, fine. A life for a life."
"A life for a life? What's the trade?"
Liu Junyi's expression turned serious.
"Your life for your son's. How about it? Sounds like a bargain, doesn't it? One man with one foot in the grave for one in the prime of his life. It's a good deal no matter how you look at it."
Yang Xiao's face was a mask of derision.
The expressions on the faces of Liu Junyi and his son changed in an instant.
"Of course, if you're not willing, someone else can make the trade. For example, that old dog next to you. His yapping just now really annoyed me. What do you say, Liu Junyi?"
The moment he said this, the color drained from Liu Neng's face.
A strange glint, however, flashed in the eyes of both Liu Junyi and his son.
Liu Junyi in particular shot Yang Xiao a cold look. "Brat, stop trying to sow discord. I, Liu Junyi, am not someone you can manipulate so easily. State your real demand, or else—"
Before he could finish the two words "or else," Liu Junyi suddenly moved. His figure was like a phantom. In an instant, he was behind Liu Neng, bringing a heavy palm down on the steward's head.
In that instant, the 4th-Layer Innate Grand Martial Master—a servant who had loyally served the Liu Family for decades—died at his master's hand.
"Hmph. This old fool has been feigning compliance while secretly disobeying my orders lately. Killing him is no great loss. Are you satisfied now, Yang Xiao? Release my son!"
Liu Junyi said this even after killing his own man.
His words sent a chill through the hearts of the three High-level Martial Artist retainers behind him.
They instinctively took a step back.
This was exactly the outcome Yang Xiao had wanted. As for releasing Liu Tianming?
He chuckled and pointed at Liu Zhong. "Your life is spared. I never would have thought your master would be willing to kill a Grand Martial Artist for a mere Martial Artist-level servant like you. You'd better remember this kindness, haha!"
As the laughter echoed, Liu Junyi's face instantly darkened.
His fists clenched tightly. With a loud GAG, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
Only this time, no one dared to step forward and help him.