Martial Sage from the Vajra Skill

Chapter 290: Chapter 166: Cruel

Xu Yang hurried to the courtyard to find that two new disciples had already moved in and were being sweet-talked by Wan Hai.

The scoundrel was up to his old tricks again, trying to swindle the newcomers, but the two were very wary and weren’t falling for his act.

Xu Yang went over to chat and learned that one was named Ma Yong and the other Peng Yu. They were from Tan Mountain County, one of the Six Counties under the Purple Sun Sect’s jurisdiction, not Dragon Ascending Disciples from Qingyuan County.

Knowing they weren’t from Qingyuan County, he exchanged a few pleasantries and left.

Over the next few days, Dragon Ascending Disciples from other counties continued to arrive at the Purple Sun Sect, and the Outer Disciple residences grew lively once again.

Watching these curious and ambitious new disciples, the older disciples’ eyes were all filled with pity. After two years, most of them had seen the Purple Sun Sect for what it was and understood that Outer Disciples were nothing more than beasts of burden.

This afternoon, as Xu Yang was coming down from Li Fire Peak, he saw a few people who looked very familiar, as if he’d seen them at the Martial Arts Examination in Qingyuan County.

He immediately strode over, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "You junior brothers look familiar. Are you by any chance Dragon Ascending Disciples from Qingyuan County?"

The men hurriedly returned the gesture. "Greetings, Brother Xu Yang. We are indeed from Qingyuan County."

They were pleasantly surprised and flattered that Xu Yang actually recognized them.

Xu Yang had been quite famous back in Qingyuan County, but only after arriving at the Purple Sun Sect did they learn that he was actually ranked among the Ten Heroes.

Even though he was the last on the list, he was still a genius that many had to look up to.

Xu Yang smiled. "So you are from my hometown. I thought I might have been mistaken."

Changing the subject, he asked, "Do any of you know where my sister, Xu Qing, is staying?"

One of them replied, "We don’t know, but we just saw Xu Qing asking someone for your residence, Brother Xu. She has probably found your place by now."

Xu Yang clasped his hands. "Thank you for letting me know."

With that, he strode away. He soon reached his courtyard, and before he even entered, he heard a laugh like a string of silver bells from within.

A smile touched Xu Yang’s lips. That was definitely his sister’s laugh.

He walked into the courtyard and saw a group of people sitting in the pavilion.

Jiang Ping, Sun Tao, Jiang Fan, Wang Weihua, Ma Yong...

For once, everyone who lived in the courtyard was present, which was a rare sight. Besides the residents, Zhang Yong was also there.

Qiu Wenjie and Tian Li had also appeared with Xu Qing, along with one person Xu Yang did not expect to see—Qiao Yong.

He was the genius from this year’s Martial Arts Examination in Qingyuan County, the one whose talent was said to rival Kong Yu’s.

He had an arrogant air about him, and though he sat with the others in the courtyard, he seemed completely out of place.

"Brother!"

Xu Qing was the first to see Xu Yang enter. Her face lit up with joy, and she immediately bolted toward him, her arms outstretched as if to hang on his neck like when they were children. At the last moment, however, she remembered they weren’t at home and that she was a grown woman now; she could no longer cling to her brother’s neck like a little girl.

"I’m glad you’re here!"

Xu Yang smiled and nodded. He had been worried that something might have happened to her on the journey.

"Greetings, Brother Xu," Qiu Wenjie and Tian Li said as they walked over.

Xu Yang exchanged greetings with the two, then said hello to Sun Tao, Jiang Fan, and the others before sitting down.

After a bit of small talk, he learned that Qiao Yong and another Dragon Ascending Disciple from Qingyuan County named Qian Tong had been assigned to this courtyard.

"Everyone, my sister and two junior brothers have arrived today. I’d like to host a welcome banquet for them, and I hope you will all do me the honor of attending."

Seeing that it was already evening and time for dinner, Xu Yang stood up and extended the invitation to everyone present.

He was happy that Xu Qing had come to the Purple Sun Sect and wanted to throw a lively welcome banquet for her.

"Brother Xu rarely treats us. Of course I won’t miss it," Jiang Fan said with a smile.

Zhang Yong, Jiang Ping, and Sun Tao were all from Weiyuan Hall and shared a master with Xu Qing and Qiu Wenjie, so they would naturally attend.

As for Wang Weihua, Wan Hai, and the others, while they weren’t particularly close with Xu Yang, only a fool would turn down a free meal.

"Apologies. I’ve made plans with some friends, so I won’t be able to attend your welcome banquet, Brother Xu," Qiao Yong said, standing and clasping his fist.

Though he made an excuse, everyone could see that he had no such plans; he simply didn’t want to go.

Xu Yang smiled. "No problem!"

The group left the courtyard, leaving the arrogant-faced Qiao Yong behind all alone.

"Brother Xu, do you and Qiao Yong have a grudge?" Jiang Fan asked curiously.

Logically, since both Xu Yang and Qiao Yong were from Qingyuan County and now lived in the same courtyard, Qiao Yong shouldn’t have refused Xu Yang’s invitation.

But from his expression, it was clear he couldn’t stand Xu Yang.

Xu Yang shook his head. "I don’t know either."

Sun Tao snorted. "He’s just an ungrateful wretch. When we were on a mission in Qingyuan County, Junior Brother Xu even protected him for two days. How could there be a grudge? He just looks down on us because he has a bit of talent."

"Look at how arrogant he is. His nose is practically pointed at the sky."

Zhang Yong asked, confused, "Is this Qiao Yong’s talent really that good?"

Everyone had noticed Qiao Yong’s arrogance earlier and assumed he was the son of some powerful family with an incredible background, not that it was because of his talent.

Sun Tao nodded. "He was hailed as the number one talent in this year’s Martial Arts Examination in Qingyuan County. They say his talent rivals Kong Yu’s. You all should be careful around him in the future; his methods are vicious."

It suddenly dawned on Jiang Fan. "Oh, so his talent rivals Kong Yu’s. Doesn’t he know Kong Yu is dead? Talent isn’t the same as actual strength."

Qiu Wenjie shook his head. "No, that’s not it. At the Dragon Assembly, I heard someone say it’s because you left right after the Martial Arts Examination that day without saying anything to him. He felt you slighted him and has held a grudge against you."

Xu Yang finally understood the reason. He laughed and said, "I’m not his father. Why should I have to report my every move to him?"