Chapter 68: The Good People of the Vajra Sect
Chapter 68: Chapter 68: The Good People of the Vajra Sect
A momentary silence fell over the entire Longteng Escort Agency.
Almost no one had expected a duel with such a vast difference in size and apparent strength to end in Xie Yuan’s complete victory.
And it wasn’t just a victory; it was a flawless one. From start to finish, Monto hadn’t even managed to touch the hem of Xie Yuan’s clothes, let alone inflict a single scratch.
Monto, who had seemed invincible on this training ground until now, had been on the receiving end of a purely one-sided beating, completely powerless against Xie Yuan.
Xie Yuan’s Body Technique was graceful, his saber moves exquisite. It looked more like a performance, with the clumsy Monto serving as a mere foil, utterly toyed with.
The image of the handsome young man standing with his saber left a deep and lasting impression on everyone present.
"Hahaha! Xie Yuan, nicely done!"
A hearty laugh rang out from the main hall, Shen Longteng’s voice snapping the crowd out of their stupor.
"Yeah!"
"Amazing!"
The Escort Agency members immediately burst into cheers, clapping their hands in excitement.
Thank god a talent like Xie Yuan showed up among this year’s new recruits. Otherwise, they would have been helpless against that big brute and would have had to let the Vajra Sect walk all over them!
Almost everyone at the Escort Agency recognized his Rushing Wolf Saber Skill. How had he gotten so proficient and clever with it after being here for such a short time?
Especially the accompanying footwork—as graceful as a light breeze, as swift as a rushing wolf. It was simply divine!
Many senior Darts Masters who had practiced this very saber skill thought that if they were in his shoes, even they couldn’t have executed the footwork so brilliantly.
They had no idea how the kid trained. Was one month for him like a year for anyone else?
In contrast to the soaring morale of the Longteng Escort Agency, the disciples of the Vajra Sect looked grim.
Before arriving, they had been full of confidence. This year’s new disciples included Monto, a uniquely gifted individual.
During sparring sessions within their sect, no disciple at his level had ever gotten the better of him. Even those a full realm higher had to be careful when facing him.
With that kind of strength, how could any of the porters Longteng Escort Agency recruited this year possibly be his match?
But who would have thought that a Xie Yuan would pop out of nowhere...
Dejected, they silently helped Monto off the training ground.
「Inside the hall.」
Shen Longteng stroked his short beard, laughing heartily.
"Sect Leader Peng, it seems you won’t be taking first place this time."
Peng Jie’s expression was a bit stiff. He was staring intently at Xie Yuan outside, his eyes filled with astonishment.
Hearing Shen Longteng’s words, he turned back and forced a faint smile.
"The Longteng Escort Agency is full of hidden masters. I am truly impressed."
"You flatter me, Sect Leader Peng, hahaha. Hmm, for such an outstanding disciple, I really must provide him with a top-grade medicated bath to properly cultivate his talent."
Shen Longteng’s eyes narrowed as his smile grew even wider.
Peng Jie’s mouth twitched slightly. He slowly pulled a porcelain vial from his sleeve.
"He is indeed a promising young talent with a boundless future. The Vajra Sect presents him with a Golden Jade Pill."
This was originally meant for Monto. By all rights, Monto should have been unbeatable among his peers. Facing this year’s new recruits, he should have secured the prize, along with Longteng Escort Agency’s special medicated bath, which would have given him an incredibly solid foundation in body tempering.
Who knew Xie Yuan would come out of nowhere? Not only did they fail to win the medicated bath, but they also had to forfeit a Golden Jade Pill!
"Excellent! On his behalf, I thank the Vajra Sect for its generosity!"
Shen Longteng took the porcelain vial, his smile radiant.
"You know, if it weren’t for your sect, my Longteng Escort Agency wouldn’t have been able to recruit such a fine young man. I suppose you could call it fate."
He had no intention of quitting while he was ahead. In his youth, the Head Escort had been hot-tempered. Although he had mellowed slightly with age, when faced with the Vajra Sect, which repeatedly stirred up trouble, he would naturally seize any chance to kick them while they were down.
At these words, both Peng Jie’s and Yu Chunsheng’s faces darkened. Peng Jie couldn’t help but glance at his junior brother.
Yu Chunsheng pursed his lips and couldn’t stop himself from saying in a low voice:
"Poaching talent like that is hardly honorable of you, Shen the Head of the Escort."
Shen Longteng raised an eyebrow, his smile vanishing.
"Yu Chunsheng, are you trying to tell me how to do my job?"
Yu Chunsheng’s expression changed. He suddenly remembered that the man before him was no gentle, smiling old man. Just as he was looking for a way to back down gracefully, he saw Shen Longteng point directly at his nose and say:
"Given the things you’ve done, if it weren’t for that official dog skin you’re wearing, I would have already rid the people of Yunzhao County of a menace! And now you’re scheming against a disciple of my sect? I suggest you give up those ideas right now, or else..."
Shen Longteng’s tone was icy. Though he didn’t finish his sentence, his meaning was crystal clear.
Yu Chunsheng’s face flushed red, then paled. Peng Jie immediately stood up to smooth things over.
"Shen the Head of the Escort, you’ve said too much! Today’s sparring is concluded. We won’t disturb you any longer. We’ll take our leave now."
The people from the Vajra Sect and the county magistrate’s office filed out. Having been utterly defeated in the competition, they were too embarrassed to stay.
Xie Yuan stood at the edge of the training ground, basking in the congratulations of his fellow disciples. As he watched the departing group, his gaze paused for a moment.
In the crowd, Zhang Yufeng was staring fixedly at him, his expression incredibly complex.
’When did this village orphan, who I thought I could crush as I pleased, grow so powerful?’
Zhang Yufeng lowered his eyelids, avoiding Xie Yuan’s gaze, and quickly walked away.
Xie Yuan withdrew his gaze. After exchanging a few pleasantries with his fellow disciples, he saw Shen Longteng approaching with a smile.
"Xie Yuan, you performed excellently. As promised, for winning the competition, the Escort Agency will reward you with a top-grade medicated bath for the Body Tempering stage. On top of that, the Vajra Sect also handed over their Golden Jade Pill."
Shen Longteng handed him a vial and said with a loud laugh:
"I’ve checked the medicine. Don’t worry, it’s not an aphrodisiac that old bastard gave you."
A roar of laughter erupted from the crowd. Someone piped up in a high-pitched voice:
"Xie Yuan is so handsome! Lately, a bunch of young ladies have been gathering at the gate to watch him train. If they had any less shame, I bet that old pervert from the Vajra Sect would want to climb the wall for him too!"
"Huh? Were those girls here to see Xie Yuan? I thought they were here for me."
"If you can’t afford a mirror, take a piss and look at yourself. With a face like that, not even your own mother would want to look at you."
"You son of a bitch, are you looking for a fight?"
Xie Yuan felt a little embarrassed hearing this banter.
’I can’t believe even the Head Escort is cracking jokes.’
’Then again, he’s an old warrior who fought his way up from among rough and boisterous men, not some stuffy old scholar.’
He took the medicine vial and cupped his hands in a salute to Shen Longteng.
"Thank you, Head Escort!"
"Xie Yuan, I’ve already had a word with that fellow," Shen Longteng said with a smile. "As long as you are a disciple of my sect, you don’t have to worry about him trying any funny business."
"But it takes a strong body to forge iron. I can’t protect you every second of the day. Diligent training is the only true path. Hmm, and that goes for all you youngsters. Don’t just be good at running your mouths, only to collapse the moment a real fight starts!"
"Yes, sir!"
Xie Yuan and the others replied in unison, cupping their hands.
The crowd dispersed. Xie Yuan pocketed the porcelain vial, feeling a thrill of excitement.
’The moment the top-grade medicated bath and Golden Jade Pill were mentioned, everyone’s eyes practically glowed green with envy. This must be some really good stuff.’
’I’ll rest for a bit to recover my energy, then use them right away! I wonder how much my cultivation will increase?’
’Come to think of it, they got me into the Escort Agency, and now they’ve come to my door to deliver medicine... hmm, and without them, I wouldn’t have this medicated bath... Thank you so much, Vajra Sect. The world is full of good people after all.’
「Within the Vajra Sect.」
In the Sect Leader’s study, Peng Jie and Yu Chunsheng sat facing each other.
Yu Chunsheng’s face was so dark it looked like water could drip from it. He slammed his hand on the table and shrieked:
"That old bastard is inhuman! So arrogant! He shows no respect for our Vajra Sect or the government!"
Peng Jie shook his head, his own expression grim.
"He’s always been like this. He acted the same way back when our master was still alive."
Yu Chunsheng gritted his teeth, his eyes dark and sinister.
"The more he tells me not to touch that Xie Yuan, the more I want to go after him!"
Peng Jie glanced at his junior brother with a hint of exasperation.
"Junior Brother, you... is this really necessary? Are you that desperate to recruit that kid?"
"Senior Brother, you saw the boy’s abilities for yourself. If we do nothing, in time, he’ll become another Zhao Xingyang, or even another Shen Longteng. When that happens, it will be difficult for our Vajra Sect to survive in Yunzhao County!"
Yu Chunsheng’s words made Peng Jie’s brow furrow deeply. His resolve seemed to waver.
"But Shen Longteng specifically said not to touch the boy. If we’re going to do something, are you planning to do it yourself, or..."
"Perhaps we can have *that person* make the preparations directly. We won’t make a move unless we’re sure of it, but when we do, we’ll deal a massive blow to the Longteng Escort Agency!"
Yu Chunsheng said viciously, clearly still furious from the day’s events.
Peng Jie, being more cautious, frowned in thought and hesitated.
"I’m afraid the time isn’t right..."
Just then, a sharp KNOCK KNOCK came from the study door, followed by a voice:
"Sect Leader, Second Master, Yu Feng requests an audience!"
Both men were initially annoyed by the knock, but upon hearing who it was, Yu Chunsheng’s expression shifted. "Come in," he said slowly.
Zhang Yufeng pushed the door open, closed it behind him, and then knelt before the two men.
"Sect Leader, Second Master, I believe that Xie Yuan of the Longteng Escort Agency must not be allowed to live."