Chapter 24: Rising Fame

Although he was rather disheveled and injured, Yang Ze ultimately managed to withstand that palm strike.

Chief Constable Yuan withdrew his hand, looked at Yang Ze—who was being supported by Old Xie—and said, “Kid, you’re quite impressive. I didn’t use my full strength with that strike, but it was at least sixty percent. For most mid-stage Qi Induction practitioners, such a blow would have left them severely wounded, yet you’ve only suffered minor injuries. It’s clear your foundation in martial arts is solid.”

“Brother Yuan Zhen, having a son like this is truly a blessing.”

“Thank you for your praise, Brother Yuan. Since there’s nothing more, I won’t see you off.” Yang Yuan Zhen showed no courtesy to Chief Yuan, clearly issuing a dismissal.

The smile faded from Chief Yuan’s face. With a wave of his right hand, the constables behind him snapped to attention, turned, and prepared to leave.

“Yang Ze, someone will come to discuss the details with you later. You’re a talent worth cultivating. If you’re interested, come visit me at the yamen sometime. We can have a chat. Let’s go!”

With those words, Chief Yuan departed with his men, though he left Yang Ze with an invitation as he exited. Whatever his true intentions, Yang Ze could not yet discern.

Once Chief Yuan was out of sight, Yang Ze could no longer hold himself up. He had been enduring by sheer willpower; in truth, that palm had left him with considerable internal injuries, his vital energies thrown into chaos.

“Bring him inside—I’ll help him recuperate.” As Yang Yuan Zhen spoke, he entered the Tongyang Money House. Old Xie quickly helped Yang Ze after him.

…

Within a small courtyard, Yang Yuan Zhen pressed his palms against Yang Ze’s back, channeling his own true energy to dissolve the force Chief Yuan had driven into his son’s body.

After half a incense-stick’s time had passed, Yang Yuan Zhen finally withdrew his hands. Yang Ze spat out a mouthful of thick, black blood. Though his face was pale, he felt much better; that troublesome force had finally dissipated.

“I’ve removed the energy Yuan Heng left in your body. Rest well for a few days, and you’ll recover.” Yang Yuan Zhen’s tone was calm as he finished.

“Thank you, Father, for saving me,” Yang Ze replied weakly.

“There’s no need for such formality between father and son. I only hope you won’t bring me such trouble again. You must understand—our Yang family is not the most powerful force in Yuyang City.”

His expression was stern. Even Yang Yuan Zhen had been startled by his son’s audacity; never had he expected Yang Ze would dare such actions. Had anything gone wrong today, Yang Ze would not be standing before him now.

His words were for Yang Ze’s own good, but also a warning not to implicate the Yang family. They were not the overlords of Yuyang.

“I understand. I was impulsive this time, but everything I did was for the family’s benefit. If we missed such a golden opportunity, who knows when another would come?”

“That’s enough. I know you’ve won much for the family, but we haven’t fully taken control of Xiangyun Street yet. Those merchants you’ve allied with must be kept firmly in hand—don’t let them slip from our grasp.” Yang Yuan Zhen glanced at his son.

Yang Ze nodded, thinking that his father would now leave. Yet, to his surprise, Yang Yuan Zhen remained.

“One last thing: keep your distance from Yuan Heng. He is no simple man. In matters of craft and strategy, you are not his match.” Yang Yuan Zhen’s warning clearly stemmed from Chief Yuan’s final invitation, which had put him on guard.

“I understand. We wanderers of the martial world are not the same as those in the government. But, Father, I do have a question—perhaps you can answer it for me?”

“Speak.”

“Among the great powers of Yuyang City, excluding the authorities, which side is truly the strongest? Also, why is it that Fan Yongnian and Feng Lixuan, though both at the peak of Qi Induction, seem no match for Chief Yuan?”

Since Yang Ze’s return, he had wondered about the relative strength of Yuyang’s top forces.

“Since you ask, I might as well tell you. In the southern city, the Xu family is stronger than ours, thanks to Xu Wenwu’s strength—he’s ranked among Yuyang’s top five. In fact, three years ago, I witnessed Yuan Heng lose to Xu Wenwu in a duel. Yuan Heng has been one of Yuyang’s top five experts for many years.”

Yang Ze’s eyes flashed. Xu Wenwu, the Xu family head, was of his father’s generation, yet this was the first time he’d heard him mentioned.

“As for Feng Lixuan and the others, their skills are quite ordinary among peak Qi Induction practitioners; they’re no match for Yuan Heng. I warned you about him because he’s the pillar of Yuyang’s government, and easily the top official martial artist in the city.

Besides him and Xu Wenwu, there’s Bai Fei of the West City’s Flying Sand Gang—he’s a master swordsman, once holding his own against three peak Qi Induction experts at once. As for the last one, you needn’t concern yourself; whether he’s even still in Yuyang is uncertain.

These are powers you mustn’t provoke lightly. Otherwise, even I may not be able to protect you. You must show restraint.”

With that, Yang Yuan Zhen left, not wishing to linger or say more. He only hoped Yang Ze would not cause trouble or bring unnecessary disasters upon the family.

Yang Ze pondered his father’s words. The five great experts of Yuyang: Yuan Heng of the authorities, Xu Wenwu of the Xu family, Bai Fei of the Flying Sand Gang, and a mysterious master—the last, Yang Ze was certain, was none other than Yang Yuan Zhen himself.

He had some sense of his father’s strength; several displays of power had left no doubt in his mind. These were Yuyang’s true elites. To truly establish himself, Yang Ze knew he must reach their level.

“There’s no rush for that—more pressing matters must be handled first. Old Xie, make arrangements. Tomorrow, I wish to meet with the merchants who agreed to ally with us on Xiangyun Street.”

Yang Ze addressed Old Xie, wishing he could deal with the merchants immediately, but he was simply too weak to continue without rest.

Old Xie didn’t dare delay. He quickly ordered the servants to care for Yang Ze and then left. No longer forcing himself, Yang Ze fell into a deep sleep as soon as Old Xie departed.

…

The events on Xiangyun Street spread swiftly throughout Yuyang, and Yang Ze’s name began to circulate far and wide—a young master who had seized territory right under the noses of the Feng and Fan families.

“Yang Yuan Zhen’s second son, Yang Ze? How intriguing.” A middle-aged man with ruddy cheeks and slender fingers drummed on a wooden table, speaking softly to himself.

Two months ago, he defeated the Yang family’s eldest son, Yang Hai, while only at the initial stage of Qi Induction. Yesterday, at the mid-stage, he wiped out both the Furious Stone and Broken Mountain Gangs in the north. Those two gangs boasted five mid-stage Qi Induction experts combined. He even survived a strike from Yuan Heng. This youth is extraordinary.

Xu Wenwu reviewed the intelligence his subordinates had gathered, praising Yang Ze’s prowess repeatedly.

“He’s not yet twenty, but already at mid-stage Qi Induction. If he continues training, he’ll surely reach the peak—and at that point, who could stop him?”

Xu Wenwu mused privately. With such talent and strength at a young age, Yang Ze's chance of reaching the Houtian realm was significant—far greater than that of the older generation.

“Master, Yang Ze is too formidable. In a few years, he’ll be one of Yuyang’s top experts. If the Yang family gains two peak Qi Induction practitioners, the balance of power will shift.” The speaker was Xu Wenfeng, a clan elder and high-level Qi Induction warrior.

The Xu family’s strength surpassed the Yangs, not just because Xu Wenfeng was stronger than Yang Yuan Zhen, but also due to their greater number of elders and retainers—seven high-level Qi Induction warriors in all.

Three were household retainers, two were Xu Wenfeng’s brothers, and two his uncles—far more than the Yang family could muster.

Even so, they still feared the prospect of the Yangs producing another peak expert. The Xu family had but one; if the Yangs had two, their advantage would vanish.

“Master, we cannot let Yang Ze grow unchecked, or he’ll become our greatest enemy. Shouldn’t we…” This time, the speaker was a retainer known in the martial world as Poison Blade Yu Liangmin.

“There’s no rush. Yang Ze is still only mid-stage. As long as he hasn’t reached the peak, dealing with him is child’s play. Many in the city are already paying attention—let others make the first move. Besides, don’t forget—the Martial Academy’s people will arrive soon. That is the real priority.

If our Xu family produces an academy disciple, it’ll be worth more than several peak Qi Induction warriors. Then, what would the Yang family—or Yang Ze—amount to?

Be patient. I hear the Yangs have given the spot to Yang Hai, but with Yang Ze’s emergence, he’s clearly a threat. I want to see how Yang Yuan Zhen handles this.”

Xu Wenwu’s words silenced the entire Xu family hall, leaving only the sound of his tea cup echoing in the quiet. In the Xu family, his word was law.

Just as Xu Wenwu predicted, Yang Ze’s exploits were now the talk of Yuyang’s martial world. Meanwhile, the nineteen merchant bosses who had agreed to ally with Yang Ze arrived at the Tongyang Money House, each filled with trepidation.