The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 274: Chapter 271: A Perilous Land for Others, My Land of Fortune

In a small town beside the Official Road in Dingzhou, a semblance of normalcy had finally returned after it was liberated from a band of Barbarian People.

"These barbarians are as hard to kill as they say."

Yang Fangyu spat at the corpse of the burly barbarian lying at his feet.

It had taken him more than thirty slashes to kill the barbarian, a testament to its terrifying defense.

Back in his days with the Northern Garrison Army, the veterans used to say that in large enough numbers, Barbarian People were even more terrifying than Demons.

He could still remember the sight of the Barbarian People forming ranks and charging formations.

Fortunately, he had spent a good deal of time with the Northern Garrison Army and was highly experienced in fighting powerful barbarians. That was the only reason he could handle these burly men, who specialized in body-hardening techniques. Anyone else would have had a much harder time.

Nearby, Bai Yuan had also just sheathed his long saber.

Barbarians were indeed hard to kill.

They had cleared three towns in one go, but this was the first time they had encountered any Barbarian People.

Ever since Huaiyuan Prefecture was taken, the five major factions, including the Yang Family, had dispatched their forces to clear out the Demon Sect remnants in the vicinity.

As for Kuaidong... he was not Bai Yuan’s problem.

Such matters were left to Yang Jiuyan and the Sect Leader of the Celestial Profound Sect, who was about to arrive in Dingzhou.

He hadn’t expected the Celestial Profound Sect to value Dingzhou so highly that its Sect Leader would personally intervene.

With such an important figure personally presiding over matters, Kuaidong would no longer be able to act as he pleased.

Just as they were cleaning up the battlefield, a group of people appeared in the distance on the Official Road.

Seeing this, Yang Fangyu slowly drew the long saber from his waist again, while the Yang Family members and the Firearms Team at his side also readied themselves.

"Ah, it’s Brother Yang."

A hearty voice rang out.

Yang Fangyu frowned. "Feng San?"

The newcomer was none other than Feng San of the Cao Bang.

His injuries seemed to have fully healed, and he appeared to be full of vigor.

Feng San cupped his fist. "What a coincidence. I didn’t expect us to meet again."

"Brother Feng."

Yang Fangyu sheathed his drawn saber and returned the cupped-fist salute.

He had a chance encounter with Feng San of the Cao Bang once before in Fenggu. He never expected to run into him again today.

Of course, Feng San was here for the same reason as Yang Fangyu and Bai Yuan: to clear out the Demon Sect remnants near Huaiyuan Prefecture.

"Brother Yang, the Celestial Profound Sect has ulterior motives. The Yang Family should be careful."

Feng San said suddenly.

It was practically an open secret that the Cao Bang and the Celestial Profound Sect were at odds. Whenever the old Monk Fa Ding spoke, Qiu Yang was certain to contradict him.

So, it was no surprise that Feng San would say such a thing.

He was just trying to drive a wedge between the Yang Family and the Celestial Profound Sect. Even if it didn’t work, all he had wasted was a bit of breath.

Of course, Yang Fangyu knew the deeper reason.

Feng San had nearly been killed by Monk Fatong of the Celestial Profound Sect. If Bai Yuan hadn’t intervened, he’d be a corpse by now.

After the Cao Bang had suffered such a major loss, it would be a cold day in hell before they treated the Celestial Profound Sect with any kindness.

The Cao Bang and the Jiangnan Commerce Association were clearly in bed together now, while the Fang Family was currently leaning toward the Celestial Profound Sect.

After all, the Celestial Profound Sect’s foundation was in the Northern Territory, giving it a greater advantage than the other factions. It was already the most powerful, and once its Sect Leader arrived in Dingzhou, that gap would only widen.

As for the Yang Family, they currently remained neutral.

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Feng."

Yang Fangyu thanked him, his expression unreadable.

Seeing Yang Fangyu’s lack of reaction, Feng San knew mere words wouldn’t sway him. Losing any interest in staying, he promptly led his Cao Bang members east along the Official Road.

Bai Yuan hadn’t said a word the entire time, merely observing Feng San in silence.

He had deliberately disguised his appearance when he saved Feng San, so Feng San did not recognize him.

’Saving someone in the Jianghu doesn’t guarantee a good reward. I just need Feng San to deal with the Celestial Profound Sect; that’s enough for me. As for him repaying the favor... I don’t think a venomous snake like Feng San is capable of such kindness.’

’It seems my decision was the right one.’

’For Feng San to suffer such a huge loss and still have the patience to avoid a complete falling out with the Celestial Profound Sect... that level of cunning alone is enough to make anyone want to keep their distance.’

Only after the Cao Bang members were far in the distance did Yang Fangyu finally speak.

"To be able to control the Ten Thousand Miles Canal, the Cao Bang are clearly no saints."

Bai Yuan nodded.

The canal transport business involved tens of millions of silver taels, not to mention even more valuable Spirit Pills and Demon flesh. The profits were so immense that even the Xuan Yang Court was green with envy.

The Cao Bang had to not only balance the various powers along the canal but also bribe court officials along the route. Their methods were certainly not to be underestimated.

Wherever the Cao Bang operated, they almost invariably became the leaders of the local underworld.

These people were completely lawless. It was best to avoid provoking them if at all possible.

...

The Demon Sect had already discerned Xuan Yang’s intentions.

Powerful members of the Demon Sect in Dingzhou were constantly gathering in Huaiyuan.

Even though the five factions had ample manpower and strength, they still suffered considerable casualties in the face of so many Demons and Barbarian People.

"In seven days, the Yang Family has suffered eighty-one deaths and two hundred thirty-five injuries."

Yang Fangyu’s expression was grim as he stared at the Yang Family’s battle report.

Yang Jiuyan simply waved his hand after hearing the report. "Record the names. For those with children, see that they are well cared for. For those with no descendants... the support will go to their parents."

"Yes."

Yang Fangyu bowed with a cupped-fist salute.

Both he and his second uncle had fought against the Barbarian People of the Northern Plains while serving in the Northern Garrison Army.

The current situation was no different from their time in the Northern Garrison Army. The only difference was that these Yang Family disciples had been sheltered for too long and had forgotten the cruelty of war.

Yang Jiuyan’s willingness to pay for the aftercare of the fallen and their families was a benefit one could only receive from a great clan like the Yang Family.

Back in the Northern Garrison Army... a burial in a horse’s hide was all a dead soldier could expect.

Yang Fangyu walked out of Yang Jiuyan’s room, his gaze resolute. His resolve was far stronger than that of the Yang Family Members outside, stronger even than that of the Elders.

As soon as he stepped out of the room, he saw the dispirited faces of the Yang Family Members.

These people had finally seen the true cruelty of war.

They were like greenhorns in the Northern Garrison Army. In the Northern Territory, death was the norm.

If the Yang Family wanted to expand its territory, sacrifices were inevitable.

This was only the beginning.

Yang Jiuyan had already written to the Yang Family Patriarch. Soon, more disciples would be heading north to Dingzhou.

Snatching food from the Demon Sect’s jaws was far from being as easy as they had imagined.

The Demon Sect’s Demons were like weeds in spring; cut down one wave, and another would sprout in its place. It felt as if they were endless.

It had been half a month since they took Huaiyuan Prefecture, and they were ambushed by Demons every single day.

The constant, nerve-wracking tension had brought these Profound People to the brink of collapse.

"Ah Yuan."

Yang Fangyu had just stepped onto the street when he saw Bai Yuan.

"Brother Yang."

Bai Yuan waved at Yang Fangyu.

Compared to the dire straits of the other factions, Bai Yuan’s group was undoubtedly in much better shape.

The Firearms Team he led rarely had to engage the Demon Sect’s Demons in close combat, so their mortality rate was astonishingly low.

Whenever a tough battle was unavoidable, Bai Yuan would hold the front line alone, coordinating with the suppressive fire from the Firearms Team.

Yang Fangyu glanced at the Yang Family Members in the building, then back at Bai Yuan.

’Is this kid some kind of monster?’

’Anyone who’s been a soldier knows that when you’re under constant tension, especially when you could die at any moment, it’s easy to grow anxious, even to go mad.’

’No fewer than a hundred Demons and Barbarian People have died at Bai Yuan’s hands, yet he remains completely unconcerned, showing no change whatsoever.’

’Does he have some kind of Innate Homicidal Maniac Saint Body?’

Yang Fangyu suddenly found Bai Yuan even more monstrous in his eyes.

Even he couldn’t remain as nonchalant as Bai Yuan.

Yang Fangyu glanced at the fully armed Firearms Team behind Bai Yuan.

"Ah Yuan, are you heading out of the city?"

"Yeah. I heard a troop of Barbarian People is massing west of the city. I’m going to check it out."

"..."

"Ah Yuan, I know you’ve become... formidable, but you should still balance exertion and rest. Otherwise, you risk cultivation deviation."

Yang Fangyu had wanted to say "monstrous," but he managed to stop himself.

Bai Yuan nodded. "Don’t worry, Brother Yang."

He shot Yang Fangyu a strange look.

’Back in the Treasure Cave, I spent a whole month grinding mobs. The more I killed, the better it felt. Now I’m doing it in real life. How could I possibly get tired?’

’I wish I could use the time I spend eating and sleeping to grind instead.’

’The Otherworld’s number one grinder?’

A strange thought popped into Bai Yuan’s mind.

Still, his strength had indeed increased by a large margin after this period of fighting.

He looked at his panel.

[Name: Bai Yuan]

[Class: Demon Hunter, Sword Ghost, Boxer, Spirit Cooker, Skin Painter]

[Skills: Divine Mansion Technique, Chaotic Blood Hidden Tiger Saber (Proficient), Manggu Zhuhe Technique (Expert), Demon Transformation Art (Master), Spirit-Gathering (Legendary), Spirit-Seizing Technique (Legendary)...]

[Enhancement Points: 0]

He had upgraded both Spirit-Gathering and the Spirit-Seizing Technique to the Legendary level.

Both were rare, god-tier skills for growth, especially the Spirit-Seizing Technique.

In Bai Yuan’s eyes, Dingzhou wasn’t some crisis-ridden battlefield at all. It was a land overflowing with treasure!

Those Demons were simply adorable. Not only could they be turned into enhancement points while alive, but after death, they could also be refined into spirits and medicinal ingredients.

Bai Yuan was absolutely falling in love with this place.

If he weren’t worried that making too much of a scene would attract a siege from powerful Demon Sect members, his efficiency would be even higher.

After Spirit-Gathering was upgraded to Legendary, its applications expanded tremendously. Most of the world’s Spirit Grass, and even Divine Iron, could now be targeted by the skill.

As for the Spirit-Seizing Technique, its effects were even more potent.

Its effect on living creatures was much stronger than before; it had even become a skill similar to the Absorption Technique.

Against weaker Demons, Bai Yuan could now drain them to death directly.

Even against powerful opponents, it could temporarily stun them.

In a life-or-death duel, a single misstep is enough to determine the outcome. The stun effect of the Spirit-Seizing Technique could very well be the move that decides the fight.

With a sharp blade in hand, the heart finds its ease.

To others, the lands outside Huaiyuan City were a treacherous den of wolves. But to Bai Yuan, it was like a fish returning to the sea—a world filled with treasure.

As Bai Yuan walked out of the city, he felt as if he were entering a dungeon from his past life.

He had not been out of the city for long when he saw a party approaching.

A disheveled Lu Yu led a dozen blood-soaked Martial Artists, staggering toward the city walls.

When Lu Yu saw Bai Yuan, his strength gave out. He collapsed with a THUD, happening to land on his knees right in front of Bai Yuan.

"Shit! Boss!"

"I’m not your godfather. You don’t have to give me such a grand salute."