Chapter Thirty-One: The Invitation

Yuan Heng’s sudden appearance caught everyone by surprise. Yang Ze could not fathom why Yuan Heng would show up at this particular moment. Remembering what had happened that day, he wondered if Yuan Heng had come to deal with him as well. After all, the official authorities and their factions from the martial world were ultimately adversaries. If Yuan Heng truly intended to get rid of him, it wouldn’t be impossible.

Despite his young age, Yang Ze had already made his presence known to all the major powers. Though his mind was awash with thoughts, he betrayed nothing outwardly, maintaining his composure. By contrast, Bai Fei at his side seemed to brim with fighting spirit upon seeing Yuan Heng arrive.

“Yuan Heng, are you here specifically to challenge me?” Bai Fei spoke first before Yang Ze could utter a word.

“Master Bai, don’t misunderstand. I didn’t come here to fight you, nor did I wait for your battle to finish before arriving. In fact, I only learned you were here because I heard the sounds of your skirmish,” Yuan Heng replied with a smile, quickly explaining himself.

“No matter your reason for coming, if you wish to cross swords with me, I am always ready!” Bai Fei’s left hand tightened around his sword, itching to draw it at any moment.

Yuan Heng gave a wry smile. As one of Yuyang City’s top experts, he knew Bai Fei all too well—a man who relished combat, constantly seeking matches with others. Nearly every renowned fighter in the city had been challenged by Bai Fei.

But Bai Fei’s boldness was not without foundation. His swift sword alone was enough to make Yuan Heng wary; a moment’s negligence could mean death at Bai Fei’s hands.

“Master Bai, I am here on official business today, not to fight. My purpose is related to Second Young Master Yang,” Yuan Heng said, turning to Yang Ze.

“Me? Is it about today’s incident?” Yang Ze’s eyes showed uncertainty; if Yuan Heng sought him, it was most likely because of what happened earlier.

Bai Fei’s expression subtly changed. “Chief Yuan, do you know who orchestrated today’s events?”

“Master Bai, your Flying Sand Gang is the leading force in the West City. Are you saying you have no information about this?” Yuan Heng retorted with a question instead of answering.

“Chief Yuan, you know me well. The Flying Sand Gang holds its position in the West City because of me, but I’m not much for management. In terms of intelligence, we may be less informed than several family clans here. I only learned about today’s events recently. I never expected someone to arrange all this right under my nose. Clearly, they don’t take me seriously, so I had to come.”

Bai Fei glanced at the corpses scattered across the ground. Indeed, his visit had left a heap of bodies behind.

“Master Bai, you truly aren’t concerned with matters of the martial world. But are you familiar with Second Young Master Yang?” Yuan Heng asked again.

“Second Young Master Yang’s reputation has become well known in Yuyang City. I understand your implication—those who acted today must be his enemies. While that may be true, he has many foes. Guessing who struck first is futile.”

Bai Fei spoke plainly. Yang Ze had not been in the martial world long, but already had no shortage of enemies—a fact hardly flattering.

“You’re right. Second Young Master Yang’s enemies are not few. I only came now because my men reported traces of equipment transport in the East City, prompting me to investigate.”

When Yuan Heng reached the East City, he found over a hundred twenty people gathered, more than fifty of them martial artists of the Qi-guiding realm. Besides bows and arrows, they brought many hidden weapons, far superior to these black-clad men.

Pausing, Yuan Heng cast a cold look at the fallen black-clad figures and continued. “When I appeared, those men even dared to attack me. Clearly, they feared exposure, willing to kill even me. Their strength was considerable—five were middle-level Qi-guiding martial artists. After dealing with them, I rushed here to the West City, only because my subordinates reported more activity. Otherwise, I’d never have known such a major event had occurred tonight in Yuyang City!”

Despite Yuan Heng’s casual tone, Yang Ze could sense the intensity of that battle; the East City’s adversaries were more numerous and stronger. Yuan Heng must have fought a bloody battle. Yang Ze felt fortunate to have chosen the West City route—had he gone east, he doubted he could have lasted.

“They assembled hundreds, forged so many weapons, and set up an ambush. Who do you think orchestrated this?” Yuan Heng mused aloud, then posed the question to Bai Fei.

“Haha, Chief Yuan, don’t ask me. I’m just a martial world man, not privy to such things. This is for the authorities to investigate, not me,” Bai Fei laughed, offering no answer.

Yuan Heng did not pursue it, but turned his gaze to Yang Ze.

“So, Lord Yuan, you believe all the powers in Yuyang City that wish me harm have joined forces, including the Feng and Fan families?” Yang Ze spoke without reservation, voicing his thoughts.

“You’re direct, Second Young Master Yang. But without evidence, we shouldn’t make such claims. I captured a few men alive in the East City and will investigate. The truth will come out.”

Yuan Heng did not linger on the topic, ending his words abruptly.

Yang Ze quickly understood Yuan Heng’s position. Yuan Heng was an official; to claim he acted out of moral obligation to help Yang Ze would be nonsense. For Yuan Heng, upholding the dignity of the authorities came first, making him and the martial world factions natural enemies.

This incident was simply unfortunate for the martial world factions—they were careless and got caught by Yuan Heng’s men, prompting him to act.

Yet the authorities were still in no position to openly confront the martial world; Yuan Heng lacked the power to represent the authorities against Yuyang City’s major forces. Everything would have to proceed gradually.

“In any case, I must thank Lord Yuan and Master Bai for saving me. Without you, I would surely have perished tonight. I am deeply grateful and will visit you both with gifts in the future!” Yang Ze bowed respectfully.

Neither refused Yang Ze’s thanks. It was not for Yang Yuan Zhen’s sake that they came; whatever thanks Yang Ze offered, they would accept without hesitation.

Seeing there would be no duel with Yuan Heng, Bai Fei promptly departed. Without a fight, he lost interest; staying further would be pointless.

“Second Young Master Yang, you’ve impressed me again today. Have you forgotten my invitation? It has been a month, yet you haven’t come to the magistrate’s office to see me,” Yuan Heng suddenly brought up the matter.

Yang Ze’s expression shifted subtly.

“Lord Yuan, I am but a humble commoner. You are an official—how dare I disturb you lightly? That is why I haven’t visited,” Yang Ze explained.

“That’s not right, Second Young Master. I am merely a constable, not some fearsome monster. No need to be so wary. My invitation was sincere. Did you receive the letter I sent last time?” Yuan Heng changed tack, mentioning the letter.

Yang Ze’s gaze flickered. “I received it, but the matter was unrelated to me. I regret wasting your kindness.”

“No matter. I hold you in high regard, Second Young Master. My invitation stands. If you are free the morning after tomorrow, come to the magistrate’s office for a chat. We can talk about anything. Now, I have cases to attend to and won’t keep you further. Leave the bodies here—I’ll send people to handle them. You may take your own men.”

With that, Yuan Heng departed. Yang Ze looked at his remaining followers—only seven were left—and sighed deeply. The satisfaction of having completed today’s mission was thoroughly washed away.

“Go back first. Bring a few carts to collect the bodies of our fallen brothers, and fetch a doctor,” Yang Ze instructed the least injured guard to return immediately.

Of the dozen guards he brought, only five survived, and even Old Xie was badly wounded.

Dusk had fallen. The guard rode off at speed and soon returned. Several wagons followed, along with a doctor and ten guards. News of the situation shook Tongyang Bank, and most of their remaining men were dispatched.

Upon arrival and seeing Yang Ze unharmed, they finally relaxed. The bodies were loaded onto the carts, wounds bandaged, and the group set off for home once more.

Early the next morning, Yang Ze gathered everyone at the stronghold for a farewell ceremony, sending off the fallen guards, including Da Zhuang.

After the ceremony, Yang Ze distributed condolence money to the families of the deceased guards. To truly gain a foothold here, he could not lose the people’s trust—these measures were essential.

Once everything was handled, Yang Ze went to rest. After days of fighting and constant activity, exhausted and wounded, he longed for nothing but sleep.

He slept through to the following morning.

Upon waking, he did not linger at the stronghold. He set out again, alone, bringing no one with him.