You call this the way of the sword?

In the mountains, one can vaguely see many cultivators.

They stood on various hilltops, seemingly confronting the army outside the lines.

This army is very special.

They wore different shapes of black armor and different masks, but without exception, they were all completely black, immovable as mountains, and exuded an extremely strong murderous aura.

With only a few hundred people, they surrounded the entire mountain range, silently overwhelming the Sha family.

Without a doubt, this is a special formation directly under the command of the Pillar State, and they are likely to be carrying out some extremely vicious missions.

If they were allowed to take action, the Sha family members might all suffer a terrible fate.

At this moment, Yang Qingfeng realized that he had underestimated the power of the Pillar of State and misjudged the military's attitude towards local authorities and the cabinet.

Yang Qingfeng looked at Liu Changge, then remembered and asked, "Senior, is the Azure Lion also part of your plan?"

Liu Changge had been observing Yang Qingfeng's reaction. Seeing that he was only shocked for a moment before calming down, he couldn't help but wonder what he would say.

Unexpectedly, this kid immediately revealed their past.

"You're really not cute at all."

Liu Changge rubbed his forehead and shook his head, saying, "We've already taken the things, why ask so many questions?"

That's how it is.

Yang Qingfeng breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, saying, "Of course I have to ask clearly. If I don't, I'll think I've taken so many benefits for nothing and owe the seniors so many favors."

"Now it's all over. The military used us first, and the Sha family assassinated me first. All the benefits I received are owed to me by justice. If I had to say anything, it would be that you waited a few days and got this justice for me."

"I owe this favor to my senior, not to the military or anyone else."

But in the end, it is what I deserve; if I don't get it, it's the fault of the military, the state government, and even the empire.

Yang Qingfeng didn't say the last sentence.

It is difficult to repay a favor owed to someone, but it is also very rare to owe a favor to Zhuguo.

This is also a way to maintain relationships. If one day you go out and say, "I owe Zhuguo a lot of favors," the first reaction of the listener will definitely be... Oh no, this kid has a relationship with Zhuguo!

"Is it just something you owe me?"

"That works too."

Liu Changge didn't say anything more, because what Yang Qingfeng said was true.

The military used the major test to catch the Green Lion and pinpoint the mole within the empire's high command. The local scourges like the Sha family were exactly what he intended to eliminate.

Yang Qingfeng's encounter with the Green Lion and his assassination attempt by the Sha family in the prefecture were all coincidences.

In short, it was Yang Qingfeng and other newcomers who were used, Yang Qingfeng who was assassinated in the government's territory, and Yang Qingfeng who suffered all the injustices.

The apology from the Sha family, the conditions offered by the cabinet, and even the rewards given by the military were all ways to appease the situation.

The military has no connection with the Sha family, and the Green Lions did not cause any losses to Yang Qingfeng. Therefore, Yang Qingfeng can accept the military's compensation, but he does not want to owe the military any favors.

Being used and still remembering the other party's kindness—this might be true for other newcomers, but Yang Qingfeng's mind works too fast, and he distinguishes things too clearly.

Liu Changge didn't press the issue, after all, he had promised Chang Maofu. However, as a military representative, he still had to say, "You should know that Lord Yu has made many arrangements on the battlefield. Even if you don't make a move, the Azure Lion can't harm you."

Yang Qingfeng shook his head and said, "I have no objection to the military's actions, but I don't like things being done in a muddled way. Don't worry, senior, when the empire needs me in the future, I will report to the military headquarters myself without the military's invitation."

"it is good."

Although Liu Changge said Yang Qingfeng was not cute, he actually liked him more and more, especially when Yang Qingfeng said that the empire needed him, he inexplicably poked him.

I'm not afraid of children being precocious, I'm afraid of them taking on responsibilities too early.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing; I'm just worried they might not be happy.

During the casual conversation, Liu Changge waved his hand.

With a gentle wave of his hand, the knife hanging over the Sha family fell down.

Hundreds of Xuanjia warriors unleashed their skills simultaneously, their radiance resembling blazing suns, releasing a terrifying aura that made it hard to breathe.

The raging winds were the first to rush into the formation, instantly scattering the clouds and mist in the mountains.

The screams of the Sha family cultivators were amplified by their magic, but no one paid any attention.

More magical light flashed across the mountain peaks as the Sha family began bombarding the formation in an attempt to retaliate, but they could not budge it in the slightest.

Thunder roared above the formation.

Hundreds of skills of unknown rank gathered together with terrifying power, once again triggering strange phenomena in the heavens and earth.

The Xuanjia warriors stood in mid-air between heaven and earth, unleashing their skills in the most despairing way, pouring them into the formation, engulfing the mountains, crushing the peaks, and annihilating the enemy cultivators.

There was no room for negotiation, and there was no roaring or trembling as expected.

All energy was confined within the formation; only the vibrant colors produced by the magical explosion filled the entire space within the formation in an instant.

Brilliant, dazzling, and breathtaking.

This was a genocidal massacre, yet it was accomplished in the blink of an eye, wiping out entire families and clans.

There was no mercy, no one held back; all that remained was the fury of the heavens with lightning and thunder, and the dazzling light that filled the entire formation, like fireworks exploding at maximum capacity—a true work of art.

Click.

The spirit sword, which had just regained its senses, shattered in the spectacular explosion and began to be reborn in the Sword Domain.

The destruction of the spirit sword that served as a mark indicates that Sha Yinzhen is also dead.

In contrast, Yang Qingfeng's losses were almost zero.

As the light gradually faded, the formation began to come to an end.

It suddenly contracted, compressing and absorbing all the energy fluctuations within the formation. The ruins that the mountains had become vanished in an instant, along with the entire Sha family, which evaporated without a trace.

Looking at the earth that had been hollowed out in an instant, a thought suddenly flashed through Yang Qingfeng's mind.

Are all members of the Sha family guilty?

He glanced at Liu Changge, who immediately saw through his thoughts and said calmly, "I've guarded the mountain in the canyon for many years, and the evidence I've collected is beyond your imagination. Perhaps not everyone is guilty, but we share the same roots and fate."

"Remember this: it is a miracle that our human race has survived this long. We must not be soft-hearted any longer."

Yang Qingfeng nodded thoughtfully and bowed respectfully, saying, "This junior has learned much."

Liu Changge glanced at him, then suddenly said in a serious tone, "Actually, I didn't want to deal with them so soon, but I was worried they would come looking for trouble for you again, so..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yang Qingfeng raised his head and said with unusual solemnity, "Senior, my spirit sword unfortunately died in this battle. I would like to apply to you for a pension for its family."

Liu Changge, having failed to dig a hole and instead being extorted, widened his eyes in disbelief. "What the hell?"

Yang Qingfeng raised his hand and released 10 sword spirits, saying solemnly, "My spirit sword is not actually a sword, but rather the manifestation of their souls. They are all brothers and sisters, a total of 170. The one who just died in battle is the eldest brother, and his 169 younger brothers and sisters..."

"Alright, let's go back."

Liu Changge turned and left, muttering under his breath, "How can you calculate compensation like that?"

Yang Qingfeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then raised the corners of his mouth.

It feels really good to have someone stand up for you.

Before leaving, he looked back at the "Sha Family Ruins" and recalled Sha Yinzhen's mad dog-like appearance.

"You have your clan to back you up, I have an empire to rule me. Don't be too arrogant in your next life, or dying will be really easy."

"I'm only teasing you because it's for your own good, really."

Yang Qingfeng quickly caught up with Liu Changge, and just as he was about to say something, Liu Changge handed him a teleportation crystal: "I have other things to do. Go back by yourself."

"Go back and level up quickly. Save the scrolls for level 20, don't waste them. Also, don't go into the wilderness for now, stick to dungeons."

"oh."

Yang Qingfeng didn't think much of it. After bowing, he crushed the crystal. Unexpectedly, the teleportation light enveloped him and lasted for seven or eight minutes.

When a flash of light appeared before his eyes and a cacophony of noise rushed into his ears, Yang Qingfeng was dumbfounded.

He actually went to the capital!