Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques

Chapter 358: Despair

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Upon hearing the innkeeper’s words, Chen Fei furrowed his brows. Was the Ruan family’s wipeout because of him?

In Chen Fei’s mind, he recalled the three people from the Yashan Sect he had encountered outside Shang Wu City, especially Xu Yanxin, who had been wounded by his Godslayer Sword.

Mental injuries, though they might not seem significant, could have a lasting impact on one’s future cultivation if not handled properly.

So, did Xu Yanxin hold a grudge and, upon discovering a connection between the Ruan family and Chen Fei, decided to eliminate the Ruan family altogether?

In the eyes of other families in Qinhai City, Chen Fei’s relationship with the Ruan family was likely considered very close. Perhaps many members of the Ruan family thought the same.

However, when he encountered the soldiers from the Yashan Sect outside Shang Wu City, they should have known that he was not to be trifled with. Did they really go to such lengths just to settle a score?

It felt like there must be other reasons!

Chen Fei tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and the innkeeper stood by, not daring to breathe loudly. Now that he knew Chen Fei’s identity and thought about the Yashan Sect, the innkeeper suddenly felt his luck had taken a turn for the worse.

If the soldiers from the Yashan Sect were to find out that Chen Fei was here and that he had shared information, would he also face retribution from the Yashan Sect, perhaps even dragging his family into the mess?

But when a cultivator at Chen Fei’s level asked for information, he had no choice but to provide it. Even if he had recognized Chen Fei’s identity from the start, the innkeeper would still have to obediently answer all of Chen Fei’s questions. The Yashan Sect was terrifying, but wasn’t Chen Fei, a cultivator at the Aperture tempering realm, also terrifying?

Whichever way he looked at it, the outcome seemed the same.

“Where are the members of the Ruan family now?” Chen Fei’s fingers tapped lightly as he looked at the innkeeper.

Although the innkeeper tried to maintain a steady demeanor, Chen Fei noticed the fluctuations in his emotions. With a little thought, Chen Fei understood that the innkeeper had probably recognized his identity.

The Ruan family had been targeted because of Chen Fei, and even this shop, along with the family behind it, might not face complete annihilation but would likely suffer significant losses if they were implicated.

“They are being held in the barracks in the south of the city,” the innkeeper replied in a hushed voice.

“Are all the members of the Ruan family there?”

“Some were killed on the spot, and the rest are there,” the innkeeper shook his head.

Chen Fei’s brows furrowed even tighter. When surrounded by a group of soldiers, many inhumane things could happen, and these incidents were seldom investigated. In such situations, it was almost inevitable for the people of the Ruan family to resist.

However, considering the Ruan family’s strength, they were decent in Qinhai City, but when facing the Yashan Sect, it was like an ant challenging a cart. Daring to resist would undoubtedly lead to a fate of slaughter, without any surprises.

In the eyes of the Yashan Sect, the targets of their siege, as long as they dared to make a move of resistance, were to be suppressed directly. They wouldn’t care about the reasons; they only needed one outcome.

The process didn’t matter.

“Very well, here is the payment for the information.”

Some silver coins appeared on the table as Chen Fei stood up and gave the innkeeper a glance before disappearing into the courtyard.

The innkeeper stared at the silver coins on the table, feeling as though the money was burning his hands. He remembered the warning look Chen Fei gave him before leaving, making it clear that he should keep any sensitive information to himself.

If news of Chen Fei’s presence here reached the Yashan Sect, Chen Fei would place the responsibility for this matter on the innkeeper and, by extension, his family.

The innkeeper wasn’t sure whether the Yashan Sect could kill Chen Fei, but in theory, they could, given the numerous cultivators in the Yashan Sect. However, if something went wrong, and Chen Fei remained unharmed, those left behind would be in trouble.

“Innkeeper, that person has left,” Lang Jiushan entered the tea room and spoke cautiously.

“Pass the word down: no one is allowed to disclose what happened today to anyone. If I find out that anyone has been spreading gossip, our clan’s rules will be enforced. Do you understand?” The innkeeper looked at Lang Jiushan and spoke sternly.

There shouldn’t be anyone else who recognized Chen Fei’s identity, but the innkeeper wanted to ensure that as few people as possible knew about this incident for their safety.

“Alright, I’ll go tell them immediately,” Lang Jiushan was startled by the innkeeper’s tone and quickly left to deliver the message. The other guards nodded in agreement, not daring to voice any objections.

On the street, Chen Fei’s figure flickered like a phantom, and ordinary people couldn’t even catch a glimpse of his afterimage.

In just a moment, Chen Fei arrived in the southern part of the city. This area used to be the residence of Qinhai City’s soldiers, but now the Yashan Sect had taken over, and the number of people here had naturally increased significantly.

Even before getting close, Chen Fei could sense countless auras intermingled. While it was chaotic, there was also a sense of order within it.

Chen Fei glanced at the sky, and it was getting close to nightfall. Infiltrating a place, the cover of darkness was often the best protection.

Especially in crowded areas like this, the night could disrupt the sight of many, even soldiers skilled in martial arts.

Chen Fei stood in the shadows, his presence completely concealed, as if he had vanished. If it weren’t for witnessing it firsthand, it would be hard to imagine that there was still a person standing there.

Time passed, and the sky gradually darkened, and night fell completely. From the darkness, a figure emerged from Chen Fei’s position, moving stealthily and disappearing into the night.

The Yashan Army was founded by the Yashan Sect, known for its strict military discipline, different from typical rebel groups. Even at night and within the city, there were soldiers on guard duty, and there was no room for laxity.

Chen Fei’s doppelganger moved like a wraith, flashing through various positions within sight, easily bypassing all checkpoints. In just a short time, he reached deep within the military camp.

Here, the auras in the surroundings had become much deeper, and many of them had the cultivation of the Visceral tempering realm. At the same time, within the main camp ahead, Chen Fei sensed the auras of two individuals in the Aperture tempering realm.

One was in the middle stage, and the other in the early stage. As for the other Aperture tempering realm experts of the Yashan Army, they were inside the city lord’s residence in Qinhai City.

Chen Fei’s doppelganger avoided the main camp and began searching for the location where the members of the Ruan family were being held.

Chen Fei could leave behind the other members of the Ruan family, but Ruan Qiaojun, Chu Wennian, and Chu Lan were the three he must rescue.

After walking around inside the camp, Chen Fei’s footsteps paused slightly as he finally sensed a different aura. Beneath Chen Fei’s feet, a hollow space housed several individuals.

Inside the water prison.

Chu Wennian had a pale complexion, breathing as if on the brink of death.

In the beginning, to protect Chu Lan from being violated by the soldiers of the Yashan Army, Chu Wennian had risked his life to protect her. Chu Wennian dared not attack the Yashan Army; otherwise, he would face countless blades.

In that case, not only would he die, but Chu Lan would also meet the same fate.

So, Chu Wennian just clung to Chu Lan desperately, blocking all the attacks from the Yashan Army. Although Chu Wennian’s cultivation was decent, he was already old and unable to fight back. He could only passively endure the attacks, which he couldn’t withstand for long.

In the end, Chu Lan had to cut her own cheek with a knife to disfigure herself. Only then did the soldiers feel disgusted and stop.

Chu Wennian and Chu Lan both managed to save their lives, but Chu Wennian’s injuries were severe, to the point where he couldn’t recover on his own. In this damp and cold cell, an ordinary person would lose half their life just by entering.

With his heavily injured body, Chu Wennian had managed to hold on for these days largely because of his foundational cultivation. However, his endurance had reached its limit.

The only thing Chu Wennian was reluctant to leave behind was his granddaughter. In this environment, if he were to die, it would be a tremendous blow to Chu Lan. She would likely be unable to accept such an outcome, and in this harsh environment, she would eventually follow in his footsteps.

This was a scene that Chu Wennian absolutely did not want to see. He would rather die himself than have Chu Lan suffer.

*

*Cough, cough, cough!

Chu Wennian coughed violently, as if he were about to cough out his own lungs. Blood flecks appeared at the corners of his mouth. By the end of his coughing fit, Chu Wennian didn’t even have the strength to cough forcefully; all that remained were the constant vibrations in his throat.

“Grandfather, are you okay?”

Chu Lan’s teary eyes glistened. After so many days, her tears had almost dried up, but whenever she saw her grandfather like this, it felt like a sharp knife piercing her heart, continuously stirring her emotions.

This was her closest family member, but now, Chu Lan had no way to save Chu Wennian. In this water prison, many members of the Ruan family had already succumbed silently, unable to endure any longer.

Chu Wennian seemed to be next.

*

*Thump, thump, thump!

Yan Shiguang stomped forcefully on the cell floor, creating a loud noise that echoed around. The people in the cell below were disoriented by the intense vibrations.

“Old man, all you do is cough all day long. Why don’t you just die from it? If I hear you cough one more time, I’ll stab you to death right away!”

Yan Shiguang looked down at Chu Wennian with a malicious expression from his high vantage point. He glanced at Chu Lan, and a hint of desire flashed in his eyes. However, when he noticed the massive scar on Chu Lan’s face, he couldn’t help but sneer in disdain.

Chu Wennian tightly sealed his lips, his chest heaving as he suppressed all the coughs deep in his throat. He could see the murderous intent in Yan Shiguang’s eyes, and he knew that this man was capable of killing.

For Chu Lan’s sake, Chu Wennian was determined to endure.

Chu Wennian held one hope in his heart, and that hope was Chen Fei. Even though it had been three years since Chen Fei had last appeared, in this dire situation, Chu Wennian’s only remaining hope was Chen Fei.

As long as Chen Fei showed up, he could save Chu Lan.

Chu Wennian didn’t care about himself; he only wanted Chu Lan to be safe. If Chu Lan was safe, Chu Wennian wouldn’t hesitate to die now.

Sensing Yan Shiguang’s gaze, Chu Lan shivered and clung tightly to Chu Wennian’s arm.

“Brother Chen, where are you?” Chu Lan murmured quietly, her words meant for her ears only.

Yan Shiguang, seeing Chu Wennian and Chu Lan in their vulnerable state, smiled triumphantly. Just as he was about to shout and raise the alarm, he suddenly noticed a figure appearing in front of him.

Yan Shiguang initially thought it was one of his comrades, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was a completely unfamiliar face.

His eyes widened, and he was about to shout for help when he suddenly felt a numbness in his neck. The world spun, and then he saw a familiar body.

But why was there no head attached to that body?