Lu Gang glanced sideways, "Speak out."
Xu Zishuai was known for being unserious, always fooling around, especially fond of mingling with women, yet he had many clever ideas.
Every year, he would come up with new and amusing ways to celebrate the birthdays of Master and Mistress, making everyone happy.
"A few days ago, I received a wanted notice from the government. It mentioned a bandit camp about 120 li east of Peaceful Sun Town with more than twenty people. Since Junior Brother Liang is about to break through, I didn't rush to act. Instead, I thought of waiting until he broke through and then taking him along to get some firsthand experience."
Liang Qu raised his head in surprise, not expecting to be involved in this matter.
Xiang Changsong spoke bitterly, "Senior Brother Xu loves doing this, taking new disciples along to see blood firsthand. When he led me to wipe out a mountain bandit den 300 li away, I came back spinning and nauseous, almost throwing up."
Pausing, he leaned close to Liang Qu to whisper, "I heard even Senior Sister Five was brought back in tears, and Senior Brother Xu was punished by Master with a month of house arrest."
"Ahem, what nonsense! I'm only doing this for your own good, you know."
Xu Zishuai coughed with a hollow fist, "Martial artists can't be called so without seeing blood. Master always says, a martial artist seizes the opportunity with force."
"Don't spout nonsense; continue," Lu Gang admonished.
"My idea is that since during the River God Sacrifice, that lesser mountain spirit was drawn by the human and livestock blood scent, maybe we can use a similar method. Draw those bandits over. They're outlaws—murderers, rapists, wanted by the government.
We can sacrifice them then and there, and maybe lure the snake out of its hole. Human blood energy is stronger than livestock and attracts mountain spirits and demons. Once the mountain spirit appears, we’ll get a lead on its actions.
If trained, it’ll show us its lair; if not, someone would be observing nearby. If neither, perhaps we're overthinking. What do you say?"
"Where would this blood sacrifice take place?"
"The Dharma Lotus Temple! My gut tells me—it’s no ordinary temple. The mountain spirit vanished there. We’ll assume it’s our target."
Everyone at the scene pondered deeply.
Hu Qi questioned, "The bandits are a hundred li away, isn't it too far? For effective blood sacrifice, we need at least a dozen people, right?"
"Correct, but there’s ample time. Judging from when Master's ordeal began, if the Water Baptism Sect intends to act, it would only escalate once his trouble intensifies, rendering him unable to intervene. Thus, there's a buffer of about three to four days—time sufficient."
Xu Zishuai's approach might seem indifferent as if disregarding Master Yang's safety, but realistically, being a Tiger-Hunting Grand Martial Master, Yang Dongxiong could only be effectively assisted without interference.
Besides, faith in their master remained strong.
The tiger may age, but its might endures!
Seeing everyone still ruminating, Xu Zishuai continued, "Anyway, you guys don't have a better plan, do you? We’re martial artists, not secret agents—solving mysteries isn’t our forte. I suggest a straightforward approach. Failure would mean hundreds might perish. Could live with that?"
A mass casualty event would greatly tarnish local powers' reputations, especially the Yang Clan Martial Hall.
Furthermore, many would flee their homes, making Peaceful Sun Town’s years of progress a total loss, stripping it to the bone.
"Let’s proceed as you proposed," Lu Gang decided.
"As for Righteous Prosperity City, it's too late today. Tomorrow, I’ll recruit two martial acquaintances to stay over there for a while. Outwardly, it seems non-suspicious and satisfies local elders."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Lu."
Lu Gang’s method gave both credence and dignity to Liang Qu’s request for help.
"Senior Brother Lu, you wait and see! But I need someone else with me. So many bandits, alive—I can't oversee them alone."
"Junior Brother Liang’s spirit weapon will be ready in a couple of days. I must oversee its crafting, so must he, for using blood to shape it. Junior Brother Xiang, with only three barriers mastered, isn’t sufficient to guard the hall, so let him accompany you."
Xiang Changsong promptly agreed, "No problem."
"Alright, I rely on you, Junior Brother Xu and Junior Brother Xiang. If indeed the Water Baptism Sect’s plot exists and we successfully curb it, regardless of whether that magistrate is an accomplice or not, the court's generous rewards shall be ours, possibly reaching the highest echelons!"
Reaching the highest echelons!
Excitement surged within the group at the prospect, given its feasibility.
The last resurgence of the Water Baptism Sect incited the old emperor's wrath, leading to a river of blood.
Though this occasion might not match prior scales, under the old emperor's ominous reflection, it remains egregious enough to merit significant court attention, with rewards ensured.
Though spurred by a realm of moral motivation hoping to avert local devastation turning homelands into hellscapes, conserving familiar lives along the way garners deserved rewards — it would be ideal!
Seated amidst the assembly, Liang Qu’s thoughts turned complicated.
Reflecting on the encounter with the mountain spirit in Righteous Prosperity City, he had jokingly remarked it seemed like a breeding operation.
Never had he expected such sarcastic accuracy—indeed a breeding operation!
Albeit one that squandered humans as feed.
A hundred souls bred a Galloping Horse Martial Master, depleting its resources, akin to cutting off supplies in battle, pushing soldiers into do-or-die, even slaughtering horses—a strategy exclusively expected from ruthless, grudging factions like the Water Baptism Sect, fixated merely on revenge against Great Shun.
Ultimately a cohort of disaffected aristocrats, seeing revoked privileges, boundlessly prone to ill deeds.
With discussions complete, Xiang Changsong and Xu Zishuai wasted no time, borrowing horses from Yang Manor, heading immediately for the bandit camp under the stars.
A hundred li wasn’t trivial.
Twenty individuals needed to borrow carts for capture and return, aiming to compress the task into just two days.
Lu Gang stood, "The spirit weapon’s forging is advancing faster than expected. Junior Brother Liang, visit my home for the blood forming of your spirit weapon tomorrow noon."
Liang Qu nodded, understanding that an integral forging step demanded blood from the weapon’s master, establishing its temperament.
This does not traditionally equate to ownership; rather, a perceived kinship arises.
A fiery spirit naturally pairs with a explosive weapon—a temperate soul with a gentle weapon.
An alignment enhances wielding ease; a contrast yields no hindrance to weapon quality, merely lacking that instinctive synergy with martial techniques.
The addition of the master's blood into the forging allowed for character resemblance and heightened fusion synergy unless drastic personal transformations occurred.
Once the others departed, Hu Qi motioned for Liang Qu to stay, later returning with a short staff and booklet.
"Junior Brother Liang, this method of Force Manipulation Technique channels essence and vigor akin to drawing and shooting an arrow. Given your innate talent, it's remarkably suited, amplifying your Ape Fist Technique with an additional threefold power. Review it once and commence training."
With roles assigned, Hu Qi set to training his junior.
Given any encounter with the Water Baptism Sect, his inclusion was imminent.
Rapid elevation of his combat prowess was imperative for self-preservation.