Chapter 32: Harvesting the Spoils

At Yang Qi's command, the private soldiers and servants of the Yang family, numbering over a thousand, immediately began a thorough search. First, they ordered all the private soldiers, family members, servants, and women of the Chen family to gather in the center of the courtyard, disarmed, with long spears and powerful crossbows aimed at them. Any sign of resistance would result in immediate execution.

Then, one by one, chests of treasure were brought out.

In wealthy and influential families, treasures usually consisted of various demon beast cores, demon beast hides, medicinal pills, and precious minerals. Things like gold and silver had long ceased to be considered treasures and were now used for decorating floors, walls, and crafting furniture.

Seeing piles of demon beast cores and medicinal pills being confiscated and placed in the courtyard, Yang Qi nodded in approval. This raid would more than make up for the Yang family's financial shortfall.

The wealth of the Chen family was at least tens of millions. With this haul, the Yang family would be well-fed.

Pfft!

Seeing all their property being taken away, Chen Dalai, the head of the Chen family, spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Chen Dalai, don't be in such a hurry to spit blood. I know your Chen family must have a secret chamber," Yang Qi said with a smile. "The treasure chamber is the key. Speak up, and I'll spare your life."

"Yang Qi, you are too vicious. I would rather die than tell you. I will not yield to a little brat like you," Chen Dalai said with resolve.

"Fine, you're tough. I'll cripple your qi first. I don't believe everyone in the Chen family is as stubborn as you," Yang Qi's tone turned cold, and a surge of qi entered Chen Dalai's dantian.

"Don't... don't cripple my martial arts. I'll tell you where the family treasure chamber is. In my study, there's a map that shows the underground secret passages of the entire family."

Chen Dalai knew what to choose between the family's wealth and his own strength. In a world where strength was paramount, having strength meant having status. Without strength, no amount of wealth or status could be maintained. He thought that if he could just hold out until the family elders arrived, he could pay a ransom and save his life. After all, the Yang family had their face and the treasure. The Chen family's elders were not to be underestimated, and the Yang family's elders might not be willing to fight to the death.

Hearing this, Yang Qi halted his true qi. "Yang Lei! Come over and search the study immediately."

"Yes, Third Young Master."

A martial artist at the Sixth Stage of Qi walked up, kneeling before Yang Qi with respect. He was a collateral descendant of the Yang family, who had shown talent in qi cultivation and gradually became the leader of the family's private soldiers.

In the past, he had looked down on Yang Qi, but now he could only look up to him. Soon, the leader of the private soldiers found a map, which indeed showed many secret passages and was a treasure map.

"Follow the map to find the treasures!" He shouted, and hundreds of private soldiers rushed into the depths of the Chen family's residence, opening various secret passages. Inside, they found golden halls and powerful qi surging.

"Third Young Master, we've indeed found a large treasure chamber," the leader, Yang Lei, hurried over.

"Let's go and see."

Yang Qi immediately walked into the depths of the Chen family's residence. He saw a large tunnel below, lined with precious night pearls, leading straight down. Many traps were still visible, such as water dungeons, wall arrows, cages, and needle traps, all densely packed.

Fortunately, they had found the map and the central control of the traps, so the tunnel was now safe to walk through.

"Third Young Master, this tunnel leads to the treasure chamber. We've opened the door, but haven't moved the treasures yet. We need you to come and inventory them. Additionally, we found three granaries outside, filled with millions of Qi Gathering Pills."

Yang Lei was elated, feeling that the Yang family's future was now bright.

Yang Qi walked into the tunnel, not concerned. With his current cultivation, even if something unexpected happened, he could break through the ground and escape. The strength of five ancient elephants was comparable to that of a Qi Master.

At the end of the tunnel, a massive iron door, three feet thick, was opened, revealing a room filled with treasures!

Various materials for forging magical artifacts, demon beast cores, all of high quality. In addition, there were numerous high-quality medicinal pills in jade boxes, used to replenish qi and blood, and enhance wisdom and talent.

The most common medicinal pill was the Qi Gathering Pill, which was the staple for qi cultivators. However, there were also some extraordinary pills with special properties.

For example, the "Nine Transmutation Golden Pill" that Yang Qi found was one such pill.

Medicinal pills were divided into many grades.

Yang Qi knew of Upper, Middle, and Lower grades. Higher grades he had never even heard of. The Nine Transmutation Golden Pill was an Upper-grade pill, very difficult to refine.

The Qi Gathering Pills were Lower-grade.

The medicinal pills in this treasure chamber were all Middle-grade or higher, showing the Chen family's substantial wealth. Additionally, the demon beast cores were from demon beasts at the Seventh or Eighth Stage of Qi, each worth hundreds of thousands or even millions.

"What is this?"

Yang Qi immediately noticed a statue and many spirit tablets in the center of the treasure chamber, all belonging to the Chen family's ancestors. On top of the statue was a mirror.

The mirror seemed to be made of jade, with a radiant glow and swirling clouds, lightning, dragons, and tigers, as if it were a different world inside.

"What is this?"

Yang Qi grabbed the mirror from the statue and forced Chen Dalai to look at it.

"The Great Thousand Mirror... The Great Thousand Mirror..."

At this moment, Chen Dalai's body was completely controlled by Yang Qi's true qi, making his life worse than death. Seeing the most precious treasure of his family's ancestors taken away, he trembled but could do nothing, as his life was in the hands of his enemy.

"What does it do?"

"The Great Thousand Mirror is our Chen family's ancestral treasure. It is said to be able to analyze and perfect any martial arts technique, correcting all its flaws. If you practice a martial art in front of the mirror, it will correct all the weaknesses in your technique," Chen Dalai said with difficulty.

"Good stuff, correcting flaws in martial arts..."

Yang Qi immediately put the mirror away. He sensed that the Great Thousand Mirror's power was far more than just this, but Chen Dalai was not telling the whole truth. However, he didn't care at the moment and waved his hand. "Move all the treasures out."

Ah!

As he spoke, a faint cry of pain came from above, but it was clear to his ears. It was the sound of injured private soldiers.

"What happened?"

He suddenly let out a long whistle and rushed out of the tunnel, heading for the entrance.

Sure enough, at the entrance, over ten Yang family private soldiers were lying on the ground, their tendons severed by swords. Five people stood nearby, all young, three men and two women. One of the men held a long sword, pointing it at the heart of a private soldier captain. "Worthless, quickly call out your Third Young Master. We have something to ask him."

"Senior Brother, he's here."

A woman heard the whistle and quickly said.

The five people focused their attention on Yang Qi.

"Are you Yang Qi? The one who came to raid the Chen family?" The man raised his head, looking coldly, as if a king was looking at a lowly subject.

"I am Yang Qi. Who are you? Why did you harm my subordinates?" Yang Qi sized them up, unsure of their background.

"Hmph! These worthless slaves dared to block us. Not killing them on the spot is already giving your Yang family face. We are disciples of the Spring and Autumn Sect," the man raised his sword, wiping the blood off it. "We were passing through Yan Capital and needed some money. Seeing you raiding, we came to take some. Hand over all the important treasures of the Chen family, and we'll give you a receipt. In the future, if you have any trouble, you can mention the Spring and Autumn Sect. This small amount of treasure will establish a connection with us. Honestly, it's a good deal for your Yang family. Who are we to be so upright and righteous?"

"Spring and Autumn Sect?"

Yang Qi's heart stirred. He had heard of the Spring and Autumn Sect, a giant sect on the Fertile Continent. Though not a college, its strength was formidable, far surpassing the Shadow Poison Sect. The Yang family could not compare to such a sect.

Ten Yan Capitals could not match the Spring and Autumn Sect.

Seeing Yang Qi's silence, a few of them laughed smugly. Suddenly, one of the young men noticed the "Great Thousand Mirror" in Yang Qi's hand and was intrigued. "A mirror made of Nine Heavens Jade? How could you have such a treasure? Hand it over."

"What? Nine Heavens Jade?"

"Something from the Ninth Heaven?"

"Jade that fell from the sky? How could you have such material?" The five young men and women all looked at the mirror in Yang Qi's hand, shocked and advancing.

"Boy, hand over the mirror in your hand."

The sword-wielding young man said, "This is not something you can possess. A commoner with a treasure invites disaster. Only in the hands of the Spring and Autumn Sect can it be properly used. You lack the capacity and virtue."

"That's right. You can't even harness the power of the jade," a woman shook her head. "Hand over the jade and the Chen family's wealth. We, the Spring and Autumn Sect, will take the Yang family as a subordinate servant family and protect you in the future."

"Boy, what are you waiting for? The Spring and Autumn Sect offering to take you as a servant is your good fortune. Don't you want to offer the treasure and kowtow in gratitude? Oh, and call your father, who has reached the Qi Master stage, to kowtow as well."

Another young man, impatient, waved his hand.

In their minds, the Yang family was just a wealthy family from a remote area. The name of the Spring and Autumn Sect was enough to completely intimidate them.

"Is that so? Kowtow in gratitude?" Yang Qi suddenly stood up straight. "You disciples of the Spring and Autumn Sect are so overbearing. Fine, I'll send you to hell."

With his words, the air seemed to freeze, and despite the blazing sun, everyone in the Chen family's residence felt an intense cold, as killing intent hovered over them.

"What?"

The five men and women from the Spring and Autumn Sect almost couldn't believe their ears. The sword-wielding man seemed not to have heard clearly. "What did you say? Say it again."

But Yang Qi did not speak. He answered with action.

Boom!

A punch was thrown, a gust of wind aiming straight for the man's throat.

---

(End of Page)