The Heavens: Man Covers the Heavens, Refines Treasures to Become an Emperor

They whispered among themselves, their expressions varied, but they were talking about the same name: Jiang Xuan.

"Have you heard? That poor kid actually defeated both the young master of the Yuan family and Qi Yunxiao of the Biguang Pavilion!"

"Shh, keep your voice down! The thirteen families have already declared they're going to kill him tonight!"

"What a pity, to have such talent at such a young age."

The discussion was interrupted by the sound of rapid hoofbeats.

A troop of armored warriors galloped past, their family crests gleaming coldly in the setting sun—the emblem of the Yuan family.

Meanwhile, inside the city lord's mansion.

Grand Commander Liu Wujun stood with his hands behind his back in front of the window.

He held a newly delivered secret report in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"Thirteen families joining forces against a poor boy?"

His voice was low and tinged with displeasure.

"Do they even respect the law?"

Behind him, the middle-aged scholar bowed respectfully.

"Your Excellency is wise. These powerful families are ostensibly targeting Jiang Xuan, but in reality, they intend to use this to intimidate all the lesser cultivators in the city."

Liu Wujun snorted coldly.

"Foolish! Jiang Xuan has already registered for the provincial examination. If something happens to him now, the imperial court will definitely intervene."

He turned around and slammed the secret report on the table.

"You handle this, and make sure to minimize the impact."

"Understood."

The scholar accepted the order and withdrew, his eyes gleaming.

In the southwest corner of Yanxia City, in an inconspicuous courtyard.

Cao Yunxiu paced back and forth, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

The dozen or so members of the Qingyun Society around him held their breath, waiting for his decision.

"Thirteen companies joined forces"

Cao Yunxiu suddenly stopped and sneered.

"What a grand display!"

One of the members couldn't help but say.

"Senior Brother Cao, it's fortunate that Jiang Xuan didn't join us, otherwise..."

"Or what?"

Cao Yunxiu's sharp gaze swept over the crowd.

"Though our Qingyun Society is small, we are not afraid of them!"

He changed the subject.

"But this time, it's an opportunity."

Everyone looked at each other.

Cao Yunxiu lowered his voice.

"Spread the word immediately, make this a city-wide sensation. Ideally, it should reach the ears of those important figures in the Forbidden City!"

"Senior brother, you mean..."

"I want to see what the empire's attitude is towards those from humble backgrounds!"

A resolute glint flashed in Cao Yunxiu's eyes.

"If the imperial court ignores this, then the Qingyun Society is better off disbanding!"

As the last rays of the setting sun disappeared below the horizon, night officially enveloped Yanxia City.

In a secluded courtyard in the east of the city, the aroma of wine wafted out.

"Tsk tsk, this Drunken Immortal Wine truly lives up to its reputation."

Xue Jin tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, then smacked his lips in satisfaction.

"Where did you get this, kid?"

Jiang Xuan chuckled softly.

"This was a gift from the employer after the last commission was completed."

He slowly picked up a piece of braised beef.

"What, even the dignified Lord Xuejin can't afford good wine anymore?"

"Don't even try!"

Xue Jin rolled her eyes.

"Who doesn't know how much money you, Master Xuan, can make from each medicine you concoct?"

He suddenly lowered his voice.

"Seriously, things are in complete chaos outside, and you still have the mind to drink?"

Jiang Xuan swirled his wine glass nonchalantly.

"When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it. They'll have to have the ability to kill me."

"Thirteen companies have joined forces!"

Xue Jin gestured exaggeratedly.

Even I have to temporarily avoid the limelight.

"you?"

Jiang Xuan glanced at him.

"Who was it that said they could take on half of Yanxia City single-handedly last time?"

Xue Jin chuckled.

"That's because he drank too much."

The two exchanged a smile, raised their glasses, and drank together. A night breeze rustled the branches of the old locust tree in the courtyard.

Jiang Xuan paused, his eyes gleaming.

“Here I come.”

Almost simultaneously, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open.

Chu Feng rushed in, panting heavily, his face deathly pale.

"Jiang, Jiang Xuan! You're still drinking here?!"

He snatched the wine glass from him.

"Do you realize we're in deep trouble?!"

Jiang Xuan shook his head helplessly.

"Brother Chu, let's talk this out."

"Slow my ass!"

Chu Feng was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet.

"The Yuan family, the Biguang Pavilion, the Lin family—thirteen powerful factions have reached a consensus: tonight we will take your life!"

Xue Jin whistled.

"That's quite a show of force."

"Who is this?"

Chu Feng then noticed Xue Jin and cautiously sized up the stranger.

“My friend, Xue Jin.”

Jiang Xuan gave a brief introduction, then asked a question.

Why are they making such a fuss?

Chu Feng smiled bitterly.

"Don't you understand? The scions of wealthy families can fight amongst themselves, but they will never be defeated by those from humble backgrounds! That's their bottom line!"

He lowered his voice.

"Especially since you not only defeated Yuan Shu, but also publicly humiliated Qi Yunxiao."

"humiliation?"

Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"I just made him admit defeat."

"That's the problem!"

Chu Feng said excitedly.

"Young masters from wealthy families would rather die in battle than admit defeat in public. Forcing Qi Yunxiao to bow his head is more humiliating to them than killing him!"

Xue Jin suddenly interrupted.

"So these so-called wealthy families are making an example of someone to scare others?"

"Exactly!"

Chu Feng nodded.

"They want all cultivators from humble backgrounds to know that some boundaries are inviolable!"

Jiang Xuan's gaze swept across the two faces, finally settling on the blood moon outside the window.

Xue Jin walked to Jiang Xuan's side and said in a deep voice.

"Jiang Xuan, let me tell you a story."

"One hundred and thirty-seven years ago, a dissolute young man in the Forbidden City forcibly abducted and murdered the daughter of a restaurant owner. A cultivator named Ren Changyuan, in order to uphold justice, killed the young man."

Xuejin's voice seemed to come from a very far place.

"This resulted in a bloody ten-day tragedy. Powerful clans, in alliance with the Bloodthirsty General Wen Zhongqing, carried out a ten-day brutal suppression of cultivators from humble backgrounds, leaving corpses piling up along the moat."

Jiang Xuan's fingers suddenly tightened, and the scabbard made a slight "click" sound.

"and after?"

he asks.

"Later, the Emperor intervened and resolved the matter."

Chu Feng took over the conversation, his voice trembling.

"But the warnings from the wealthy to those from humble backgrounds have always existed, and your actions today have crossed their line."

The room fell silent, with only the mournful sound of the wind whistling through the eaves outside the window.

"Why?"

Jiang Xuan finally spoke, his voice frighteningly calm.

Why do wealthy families care so much about these things?

Chu Feng smiled bitterly.

"Because of resources—cultivation resources. The powerful families monopolize almost all of the empire's cultivation resources: spirit stones, cultivation techniques, and blessed lands. Those from poor families who want to cultivate must scramble like dogs for the scraps that slip through their fingers."

Xuejin added.

"And a poor scholar like you, openly challenging the authority of powerful families, will inspire more people to rebel. This is something they absolutely cannot tolerate."

Jiang Xuan suddenly laughed, a laugh that sent chills down Chu Feng's spine. "I understand."

Jiang Xuan stood up, the moonlight outlining his tall and straight figure.

"So next, they will stop at nothing to get rid of me, as a warning to others."

Chu Feng swallowed hard.

"That's exactly right. The Qi family has already spread the word that they want you to pay for your crimes in blood. Although the Yuan family is at odds with the Qi family, they are united in their stance on dealing with the poor."

Xue Jin's eyes were filled with worry.

"Jiang Xuan, what are your plans?"

Jiang Xuan walked to the window and looked at the brightly lit Yanxia City in the distance.

This city appears prosperous on the surface, but undercurrents are swirling beneath.

"Waiting passively has never been my style."

Jiang Xuan's voice was as cold as ice.

"Since they want to kill me, then I'll take the initiative."

“Are you crazy?”

Chu Feng exclaimed in surprise.

"The powerful families are deeply entrenched in Yanxia City. How can you fight them alone?"

Jiang Xuan turned his head, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light.

"Who said I wanted to confront them head-on?"

He looked at Xue Jin.

"Do you remember the first lesson we learned in the Bloodthirsty Camp?"

Xue Jin grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth.

"The best defense is to keep the enemy from knowing where you are or when you will strike."

"Exactly."

Jiang Xuan nodded.

"Xuejin, don't come with me for now. I need you to stay in the shadows, just appear when I need you."

Xue Jin frowned.

"You want to act alone? That's too dangerous."

"After entering Yanxia City, I did become a bit complacent."

Jiang Xuan gently stroked the hilt of his sword, his eyes filled with growing fighting spirit.

"It's time to restore the Bloodthirsty Camp to its former glory."

Looking at the two of them, Chu Feng suddenly realized that he had been drawn into a vortex that was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

That night, the blood moon hung high in the sky.

Jiang Xuan changed into a gray robe like an ordinary cultivator, and put his signature sword into his storage ring, replacing it with an inconspicuous iron sword.

He adjusted his facial muscles in front of the bronze mirror, and soon the person in the mirror completely changed his demeanor, transforming from a sharp and ambitious cultivator into an ordinary disciple from a poor family.

"Remember, no matter what happens, don't contact me first."

Jiang Xuan said to Xue Jin.

"I'll find a chance to contact you."

Xue Jin nodded.

"Be careful of that Lou Xiaoyi. She's an art student at Yanxia Academy, and it's said she has connections with several powerful families."

Jiang Xuan was a little surprised.

How did you know I was going to Zuiyun Tower?

Xue Jin smiled.

"You've been asking about Zuiyun Tower for three days now. I'm not stupid."

Jiang Xuan smiled, then quickly composed himself and silently disappeared into the night.

Zuiyun Tower is the most famous pleasure quarter in Yanxia City.

The area in front of the building was bustling with traffic, and elegantly dressed young men came and went in an endless stream.

Jiang Xuan stood at the entrance of the alley opposite and observed for a moment. After confirming that no one was watching him, he slowly walked towards the entrance of Zuiyun Tower.

Three silver coins.

The burly gatekeeper said without even looking up.

Jiang Xuan silently took out a silver coin and handed it over. The burly man weighed it in his hand before looking Jiang Xuan up and down with disdain in his eyes.

"A poor cultivator? The girls at Zuiyun Tower aren't cheap."

Jiang Xuan lowered his head, feigning embarrassment.

"I...I just came to listen to the music."

The burly man chuckled and waved him in.

As soon as Jiang Xuan stepped into Zuiyun Tower, he felt an atmosphere completely different from the outside world.

The interior is elegantly laid out, without any vulgarity. The walls are adorned with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, and a faint scent of sandalwood wafts through the air.

The servants and maids were all dressed in fine silks and satins, and their manners and speech were extraordinary, unlike those of servants in a brothel.

In the center of the pavilion was a high platform, where several musicians were playing melodious music. The area in front of the platform was filled with waiting guests, most of whom were dressed in fine clothes and had an extraordinary air about them.

"Young master, do you know any ladies?"

A maid in green walked gracefully in, her voice as clear as a babbling brook.

Jiang Xuan shook his head and said in a low voice.

"I'm not here to find a girl, I'm looking for someone."

The maid's eyes were wary.

"Whom is the young master looking for?"

Jiang Xuan pointed to a room on the second floor.

"That one."

The maid looked in the direction he was pointing, her expression changed drastically, but she quickly regained her composure.

"So you're a friend of Senior Yuan Shan. Please follow me."

Just as Jiang Xuan was about to go upstairs with the maid, a woman carrying a pipa suddenly walked out from the high platform.

She was dressed in white, her face half-covered by a veil, revealing only a pair of eyes as clear as autumn water.

"It's Lou Xiaoyi!"

Someone in the audience gasped in surprise.

The entire Zuiyunlou instantly erupted in excitement.

The maid couldn't help but stop and watch, her eyes filled with admiration.

"Miss Lou has actually come today! Young master, you may not know this, but Miss Lou is an art student at Yanxia Academy. Her pipa skills are superb, and it's a rare sight to see her play them!"

Jiang Xuan looked up at the high platform, where Lou Xiaoyi bowed and then gently plucked the strings of her zither.

A clear, melodious pipa note, like a silver bottle suddenly shattering, instantly silenced the clamor of the entire hall.

Strangely, Jiang Xuan sensed that the sound of the pipa seemed to contain fluctuations of spiritual energy.

He tried to sense it carefully, but couldn't detect anything unusual.

"Young Master?"

The maidservant reminded her softly.

Are we going upstairs again?

Jiang Xuan withdrew his gaze and nodded.

"Let's go."

The maid led him toward the stairs.

Inside a private room on the second floor, Yuan Shan was embracing a glamorous woman and gulping down drinks.

The woman giggled and stuffed grapes into his mouth, while Yuan Shan restlessly groped her waist.

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Jiang Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze cold and stern.

"who?!"

Yuan Shan abruptly pushed the woman away from him, his eyes glazed with drunkenness and wariness.

"Who are you? How dare you trespass into my private room!"

Jiang Xuan's lips curled into a cold smile as a short crossbow silently slid out from his sleeve.

A flash of cold light, and a short arrow was already lodged in Yuan Shan's throat.

He clutched his neck with both hands, blood gushing from between his fingers, and staggered backward, knocking over the table.

"ah."

The courtesan screamed, but Jiang Xuan struck her on the back of the neck with a chop to the neck, and she collapsed limply to the ground.

Jiang Xuan turned and went out, speaking calmly to the waiter guarding the corridor.

"Young Master Yuan has had too much to drink, please don't disturb him."

Downstairs, Lou Xiaoyi's pipa playing suddenly turned urgent, and a stirring battle song resounded throughout Zuiyun Tower.

That was Ning Bugui's "Blood Battle in All Directions," and Jiang Xuan paused slightly, his expression complex.

Thunder roared in the night sky, and torrential rain poured down.

Jiang Xuan stood at the entrance of Zuiyun Tower, his robes soaked by the rain.

Pedestrians hurried to avoid the rain on the street, but Jiang Xuan walked leisurely.

Rainwater slid down his cheeks, indistinguishable between rain and sweat.

The intelligence sent by Chu Feng came to mind: Yuan Shan was just an appetizer; the real elites of the Yuan family were currently gathering in a mansion in the west of the city, preparing to launch a surprise attack on him at midnight.

"Since you're courting death..."

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Xuan's eyes, and his figure suddenly accelerated, transforming into a black shadow in the rain.

Deep in a narrow alley in the west of the city, a light was on in an inconspicuous house. Rain pattered against the eaves, but it couldn't drown out the noise coming from inside.

"Hahaha, don't worry, Third Master Yuan, no matter how powerful Master Xuan is, he can't stop us brothers from joining forces!"

A gruff voice laughed loudly.

"Exactly! I heard he's just a young punk who dares to run wild in Yanxia City just because he has a few skills!"

echoed another.

Jiang Xuan stood in front of the door, raindrops dripping down his chin.

He drew his Black Spirit Battle Blade, its blade gleaming eerily in the lightning.

"Squeak."

He pushed open the door and entered.

In the courtyard, seven martial artists were sitting around a stone table drinking wine.

Upon seeing someone intrude, a gaunt middle-aged man abruptly stood up. (End of Chapter)