Chapter 23: Rejecting the Gifted Ye Tian

Qin Anyu threw two stones, striking two men from the vanguard and leaving them bloodied.

This sudden turn of events caused both sides to cease their bickering and turn their attention toward the jungle. The captain of the vanguard immediately ordered six men to search the woods. Seeing that his objective had been achieved, Qin Anyu felt a measure of relief; he would no longer be caught off guard. However, what followed surprised him.

There were only eight people on the ridge: two at the Qi Refining stage and six at the ninth level of the Qi Cultivation stage. Their leader was a young man, appearing to be no more than eighteen or nineteen, who was at the mid-Qi Refining stage. Instead of rushing down the slope into the jungle, they crouched behind the brush, observing the government troops.

After searching for a while and finding nothing, the government troops abandoned their rest. Some began clearing the path ahead, others took up the rear, and some even competed to carry the severely wounded. The captain led six men through the jungle along the roadside. Human nature is complex; virtues such as shame, benevolence, honor, and morality manifest differently under varying circumstances. In this moment, they finally displayed the discipline expected of a proper military force.

The eight men on the ridge remained motionless until the troop had vanished from view. They then stood up, all eyes turning toward the young mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

"Young Master, what is our next move?" the early-stage Qi Refining cultivator asked. It was clear that these seven middle-aged men took their orders from the youth.

The youth frowned and said, "These government troops are acting strangely. We will continue to track them. Ji Cong, send someone to relay the news... Actually, I will handle it. Fu Bo, Zhai Cheng, you two return and ensure the message reaches General Zhang."

Ji Cong, the early-stage Qi Refining practitioner, replied immediately, "Young Master, they have left, and our numbers are even fewer now. If they turn on us, you will be in danger."

The youth signaled the two men, "Go."

After they departed, the youth added, "They would not dare to be so blatant; otherwise, they would not have backed down halfway. Even if we do confront them, you should trust in my abilities. As for you all, if you cannot overcome them, retreat immediately to avoid needless loss of life."

Seeing that Ji Cong was about to speak again, the youth raised a hand and called out, "Friend, hiding under that thicket of thorns, why not come out and meet us?"

Excluding Ji Cong, the other four drew their weapons and stepped in front of the youth, scanning their surroundings with vigilance.

Qin Anyu felt a sudden pang of embarrassment. He had thought his movements were stealthy, never imagining he had been discovered so long ago.

He stood up immediately and offered an honest explanation: "I am merely passing through and stopped here to rest. I have no other intentions."

Ji Cong spoke up, "You are Qin Anyu, the eldest son of Prefect Qin Zhuo. Why are you here?"

Qin Anyu did not realize he had been recognized the moment he appeared. A look of intrigue crossed the youth's face. "It seems that most people in this world are fools." He then burst into hearty laughter. "Rumors say Prefect Qin Zhuo's son is a fool, but how could those people know that they are the true fools themselves?"

After laughing, he cupped his hands in greeting. "Ye Tian, from the Province."

Qin Anyu returned the salute. "Qin Anyu, from Tanzhou Prefecture."

The group, including Ji Cong, was bewildered. Their young master’s status and cultivation level were superior among his peers; they could not understand why he would offer such genuine, joyful laughter and a formal greeting to a legendary simpleton.

Qin Anyu’s mind raced. If he called himself Ye Tian and hailed from the Province, he must be a member of the Ye family, the most powerful clan in the region. That he knew of the "fool of the Qin mansion" suggested he was deeply invested in the affairs of the Qin family, or perhaps Qin Zhuo himself. His subtle mockery of others implied he saw something in Qin Anyu—likely his true cultivation level, which was quite extraordinary.

Under normal circumstances, one’s Qi Cultivation level is difficult to discern. Qin Anyu could see through others because of his foundation as the Immortal Emperor; otherwise, one would usually only reveal their true strength when going all out. For Ye Tian to see through him was highly unusual.

Ji Cong followed up with a salute of his own. "Young Master Qin, you destroyed the Eagle Gang, routed the Mang Mountain bandits, and even killed a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator from the Dali Kingdom. I am impressed."

Qin Anyu sighed inwardly: *A massive organization truly is omnipotent. Many things I thought were kept secret are crystal clear to them. But for an Immortal Emperor like me, there is no need to be concerned with such trifles.*

He cupped his hands in response. "It was merely luck."

Ji Cong continued, "To be hunted to near-death, thrown from the Cliff of Despair, and yet return to exact such effective vengeance—it is truly worthy of admiration."

Though it sounded like praise, Qin Anyu detected a thick layer of malice behind the words. He cupped his hands again and said, "Young Master Ye, gentlemen, I must take my leave." Regardless of their intentions, to an Immortal Emperor, these were nothing more than passing winds.

Ye Tian immediately interjected, "Qin Anyu, I know you are searching for clues regarding Prefect Qin Zhuo. Why not join us? You see, we have strength in numbers; our ability to find information is far superior to you acting alone."

"You are about to reach the Qi Refining stage. You will need many medicinal herbs, appropriate cultivation techniques, and a quiet environment. Now that the Prefect is gone, these things will be difficult for you to obtain."

"Joining the Ye family is different. We can provide all of this and ensure you ascend smoothly."

It was a classic offer, tempting with benefits and grounded in logic; the recruitment was clearly well-intended. But Ye Tian could not know that an Immortal Emperor is different, and the path he must walk is one no one in this realm could comprehend.

Qin Anyu did not reject his goodwill. He cupped his hands and replied, "I am very grateful. If Young Master Ye can provide some leads, I would be happy to accept and will repay the favor. As for joining, I must apologize."

Having once been part of the most powerful family in the Immortal Realm, though he rarely recruited others himself, he was well-versed in the methods of such overtures.

Ye Tian replied, "You know that such information is strictly classified."

Before he could finish, Qin Anyu turned and walked toward the main road below, disappearing into the jungle.

Watching his retreating figure, Ye Tian’s expression shifted repeatedly. "This fellow... he is arrogant. And it seems he is quite powerful as well."

Ji Cong asked, "He has done those things, so he certainly appears strong. Young Master, are you interested in him?"

"A fourteen-year-old at the ninth level is worth noting. I did not expect that the fool rumored throughout the world would be a cultivation genius."

"The ninth level? How is that possible? If he were at the ninth level, how could he have been beaten to the brink of death by a mob and thrown off the Cliff of Despair? It is impossible to jump from the fifth to the ninth level in less than two months."

"Are you questioning my judgment?"

"No, absolutely not. Your subordinate simply finds it inconceivable."

"Either he was keeping his strength hidden all along, or he obtained a monumental opportunity beneath the Cliff of Despair. In any case, that face of his is far too deceptive."

"Young Master, shall we go down to the Cliff of Despair to investigate?"

"It likely isn't as perilous as the legends say, nor does it hold such great fortune. Otherwise, he would have broken through to the Qi Refining stage already."

"The Young Master is right. With Prefect Qin and his wife missing, he would do anything to improve his cultivation to find them and seek revenge."

"Regardless, we can have a few men go down to scout."

"The Young Master is as thoughtful as ever."

Qin Anyu was unaware of their conversation. At that moment, he stood in the middle of a mountain ridge, his eyes fixed intently on an old courtyard deep within the opposite mountain.