“Your father, Qin Zhanye, became famous at a young age and possessed immense combat power, standing at the pinnacle among his generation in the Five Great Holy Lands. His peers from the White Tiger Holy Land, Blazing Thunder Holy Land, and Azure Dragon Holy Land all paled in comparison to your father. If there was anyone more outstanding than your father, it was only one person: your mother, Zhen Xueyan, the Princess of the Black Tortoise Holy Land! She possessed a Royal-grade Bloodline and extraordinary talent. They met and fell in love during their cultivation journeys, eventually breaking the rule of no intermarriage between Holy Lands,” Qin Lingxi said to Qin Chu.
Qin Chu remained silent. Qin Lingxi's two simple sentences were enough to illustrate his parents' excellence.
“Perhaps it was because they were too outstanding, coupled with the strength of our Vermilion Bird Holy Land, that some people felt the Vermilion Bird Holy Land was a threat. That’s why that war happened,” Qin Lingxi said.
“The enmity for my parents is irreconcilable. Since they didn’t kill me back then, I will carry on this hatred! Aunt, one more thing: were the people who pursued you and Uncle Qingyi back then from the Vermilion Bird Holy Land?” Qin Chu asked after thinking for a moment.
Qin Lingxi nodded, “Yes, back then, Auntie took you and left. We did shake off the people from the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land, but we couldn’t shake off the pursuit from the White Tiger Holy Land and Black Tortoise Holy Land. Under Uncle Qingyi’s obstruction, the Black Tortoise Holy Land couldn’t catch up with Auntie. The forces that finally caught up with Auntie were the rebels of our Vermilion Bird Holy Land. Those are the ones who truly deserve to die.” A murderous glint appeared in Qin Lingxi’s eyes.
“Do the Vermilion Bird Holy Land rebels still exist?” Qin Chu poured a glass of water for Qin Lingxi. He noticed that her emotions became unstable when the rebels were mentioned. “They still exist, but I don’t know where they are hiding. Auntie has already started investigating. Once we find them, they will die. They have no concept of so-called kinship in their hearts!” Qin Lingxi said to Qin Chu.
Qin Lingxi then told Qin Chu that the traitor was her grandfather’s cousin, who was the Grand Elder of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land. Because his branch had some power, coupled with the insufficient number of direct descendants, he launched the rebellion.
“Qin Chu, too many people died in that war. Their crimes are beyond a hundred deaths to atone for!” Qin Lingxi said, looking at Qin Chu.
“Don’t worry, Auntie, I remember. Arrange for more people to gather information. We need to know immediately if there are any major changes in the situation,” Qin Chu said to Qin Lingxi.
Qin Lingxi smiled and nodded, “Qin Chu, you have a broad perspective, and the ability to discern the overall situation and formulate tactics. This makes Auntie very gratified. Personal combat power is very important, but for a superior, leadership ability is even more crucial.”
After sending Qin Lingxi off, Qin Chu continued to Cultivate.
Shocking news for all Cultivators appeared: the Vermilion Bird Holy Land was once again fighting across the land. Several teams began a frenzied cleanup and slaughter of the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land’s peripheral forces and strongholds.
The Vermilion Bird Holy Land forces were like warriors returned from Hell. When they started fighting, there were no words, only slaughter.
This news had different impacts on various forces. The White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land were in a bind. The Blade God Valley was still fighting them to the death, and now the even more ruthless Vermilion Bird Holy Land had appeared. If this continued, they wouldn't be able to withstand it. Neither the Blade God Valley nor the Vermilion Bird Holy Land engaged them in direct combat; they attacked their weak points, killed, and then left, leaving them with no defense.
The reappearance of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land in the Jianghu was good news for the Blade God Valley. In the past, even with their guerrilla tactics, they were still at an absolute disadvantage because the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land were too strong. But with the Vermilion Bird Holy Land's appearance, things were different. The Vermilion Bird Holy Land used to be the First Holy Land, the most powerful. Although it suffered a blow that nearly annihilated it, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse; no one could underestimate the Vermilion Bird Holy Land.
Another group that was excited was the forces within the Vermilion Bird Holy Land’s dominion. They had followed the Vermilion Bird Holy Land for countless years, and the Vermilion Bird Holy Land had treated them well. For years, they had held their ground, preventing other top forces from invading, just waiting for the Vermilion Bird Holy Land to return. Now, the Vermilion Bird Holy Land was back.
The Vermilion Bird Holy Land returned to the control of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land. The spies sent by the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land were all killed by people arranged by Qin Lingxi. She arranged for people to monitor the Holy Land, so if any members of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land returned, they could be welcomed immediately.
The overall situation became turbulent, but the Vermilion Bird Holy Land’s ruled territory once again became a solid block.
Time slipped away, and in the blink of an eye, a month passed. Qin Chu’s cultivation had improved significantly, and his Sword Dao mastery had deepened. His half-level six Sword Intent was wielded with the ease of an arm directing a finger.
Shangshu Tianye and Zhen Han retreated from the Heavenly Sword Mountain and moved into an inn. At this time, the Azure Dragon Holy Land’s Dark Dragon Guards arrived.
“Clan Chief, your subordinate is incompetent. I failed to find Qin Chu and the forces behind him. However, in the past month, many major events have occurred in the world. The Vermilion Bird Holy Land has appeared and dealt a heavy blow to the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land, causing them severe losses. Our people followed to investigate, but they were cut down. Not only our people, but any spies who followed them, regardless of their faction, left no survivors,” the Dark Dragon Guard said.
“Their forces suffered heavy losses back then, and now they cannot withstand a direct confrontation, so they naturally place great importance on concealment,” Shangshu Tianye said after thinking for a moment. He was quite shocked internally, as he hadn’t expected the Vermilion Bird Holy Land to return so quickly.
“To be able to mobilize the Vermilion Bird Holy Land’s forces, it must be a core member. This means that someone capable of leading the overall situation in the Vermilion Bird Holy Land has appeared. Is it the Old Clan Chief, Qin Zhanye, or Zhen Xueyan?” Zhen Han muttered to herself.
“According to the Holy Land’s Bloodline hierarchy and ruling custom, the person in charge of the overall situation must possess the Bloodline of a superior. Only with the Bloodline of a superior can one command the entire clan. Among the male line of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land, the Old Clan Chief and Qin Zhanye could. If we consider prestige, Zhen Xueyan could. As for others, whether it’s Qin Longxuan or Qin Longmo, they lack the necessary experience!” Shangshu Tianye said.
“Previously, although the Blade God Valley could contend with the White Tiger Holy Land and Blazing Thunder Holy Land, they were at an absolute disadvantage. However, now with the Blade God Valley combined with the Vermilion Bird Holy Land’s intervention, the two warring sides are evenly matched,” the Dark Dragon Guard said.
“As the news spreads, the scattered forces of the Vermilion Bird Holy Land will slowly gather. Things are about to change. Also, send people to investigate who controls the Vermilion Bird Holy Land. Investigate from a distance. If someone is killed while gathering information now, there’s no way to avenge them; their death would be in vain. And the investigation into Qin Chu must continue,” Shangshu Tianye said.
The Dark Dragon Guard left to arrange the matters Shangshu Tianye had instructed.
“Zhen Han, Qin Chu is very likely from that family. They left Heavenly Sword City, and then the Vermilion Bird Holy Land emerged? There aren’t that many coincidences in the world,” Shangshu Tianye said.