Chapter Four: The Heart of the Strong

Above, the sky was shrouded by clusters of dark clouds, obscuring the silvery moonlight.

“If you want to take Qingqing, you’ll have to step over my dead body!” Lei Tiechuan’s words instantly thickened the tension in the air.

“Form the formation!” Han Yu shouted immediately upon seeing the situation, moving to stand in front of Lei Tiechuan to guard against a sneak attack. At his signal, several Lei Guards closed in protectively around Lei Tiechuan. The rest of the Lei Guards arranged themselves to encircle Hong Qing and the others within the formation.

A great battle was about to erupt; every nerve was taut with anticipation. Xuan Zhen’s eyes were bloodshot, fixed on Lei Tiechuan with an intense hatred that looked as if he wished to flay him alive to release his fury. Yet he dared not make a move without his father’s command, frustration causing him to breathe heavily and restlessly. The other four Taoists, all juniors to Hong Qing, of course did not dare act on their own and could only await orders.

However, Hong Qing hesitated, making no decision. His hesitation stemmed from his wariness of the Lei Family’s consecrated protector; powerful martial clans were always backed by cultivators or demon practitioners of various stages. His spiritual sense had already detected the presence of a demon cultivator in a distant pavilion. If this demon cultivator intervened, matters would become complicated. As for the martial artists before him, he did not regard them as true threats—the chasm between martial artists and cultivators could not be bridged.

“Attack!” Seeing Xuan Zhen flushed with rage, Hong Qing sighed faintly. He had to decide. If he delayed further, his son might never advance in cultivation.

“Prepare to die!” Xuan Zhen shouted, and at the command, he shot toward Lei Tiechuan like a released arrow.

Just as Xuan Zhen made his move, a mass of black mist burst from the distant pavilion, shooting rapidly toward Xuan Zhen in midair.

With a thunderous impact, Xuan Zhen was struck by the swiftly approaching black mist and sent flying before he could even react.

“Deal with them—” Hong Qing’s expression changed, but before he could finish his command, he was also blasted away. Though his spiritual sense had detected the black mist as it emerged, the opponent’s speed was overwhelming. He had no time to intervene before Xuan Zhen was struck; he could only catch his son in midair and retreat.

Blood spurted from Xuan Zhen’s mouth as soon as he landed. Seeing Xuan Zhen falter and collapse, Hong Qing realized the blow had been deadly, and without sparing a glance at the assailant, he hastily infused true energy into Xuan Zhen to protect his heart.

As the black mist dissipated, a man as gaunt as a skeleton appeared before Lei Tiechuan and his group.

“Ancestor!” The newcomer was none other than Lei Family’s venerated protector, Lei Wanchun. Lei Tiechuan and the others greeted him with utmost respect.

Lei Wanchun nodded, his gaze sweeping over Hong Qing and his companions. When his eyes fell on Hong Qing, his brow furrowed. “Late Core Formation!”

“Hahaha, so you’re also at late Core Formation!” Having stabilized Xuan Zhen’s injuries, Hong Qing laughed heartily. Sensing the opponent’s cultivation, he swept Lei Wanchun with his own spiritual sense and laughed even louder.

There were only two ways for cultivators to discern each other’s strength: an overwhelming disparity, where the stronger could see through the weaker at a glance, or using spiritual sense to probe, though the latter was considered a grave insult. That was why, previously, Hong Qing had not probed the demon cultivator’s aura in the pavilion. However, Lei Wanchun’s reaction revealed their levels were similar, so Hong Qing probed and confirmed his suspicion.

“You injured my son—today you’ll pay the price!” With their cultivation equal, Hong Qing cast aside all reservations. His eyes flashed coldly as he ordered the four Taoists at his side, “You four handle those innate martial artists! The late Core Formation demon practitioner is mine!”

The four Taoists exchanged glances and nodded, then rode their flying swords, charging into the Lei Guards’ formation.

Though only at Foundation Establishment, these Taoists were not to be underestimated. Upon entering, Xuan Chao instantly sensed trouble and shouted, “Be careful, this formation contains a five-element illusion! Close your eyes and fight blindly!”

Though set by martial artists, the formation’s might could not be dismissed. If they were Core Formation, it would be child’s play; but as Foundation Establishment cultivators, they lacked spiritual sense and had to proceed cautiously.

“Yes, senior brother!” the other three replied. At their level, fighting blind was not difficult; they could sense their surroundings and locate their enemies by sound.

The four closed their eyes and stood immobile within the formation.

“Four Foundation Establishment cultivators—a troublesome lot indeed!” Lei Wanchun calculated swiftly. If those four finished off the Lei Guards and came to aid Hong Qing, it would be disastrous. He immediately ordered, “Tiechuan, Han Yu, go now! Kill those four cultivators at all costs!”

Lei Wanchun was always ruthless—he gave the order to kill without hesitation.

“Yes, Ancestor!” Lei Tiechuan frowned. Killing those four cultivators could plunge the family into peril, but the ancestor’s word could not be disobeyed.

“Hahaha…” Hong Qing laughed grandly, fixing Lei Wanchun with a piercing gaze. “Our cultivations may be similar, but even at the same level, there is a gulf in power!”

Victory among equals depended on weapons and techniques. Hong Qing wielded a middle-grade spiritual artifact, while his opponent appeared unarmed—clearly, Hong Qing underestimated Lei Wanchun.

“A middle-grade spiritual artifact?” Lei Wanchun sneered inwardly. He possessed a superior-grade spiritual artifact, hidden within his body and undetectable from the outside. The might of a superior-grade artifact was several times that of a middle-grade one—like a child with a pistol against a swordsman; the weapon made all the difference.

“Prepare to die!” Hong Qing suddenly shouted, his form flashing like lightning as he rode his sword toward Lei Wanchun.

With a deafening boom, the clash of their swords resounded across the heavens, the ground trembling beneath the shock. A blood-red flying sword erupted from Lei Wanchun’s body, colliding in midair with Hong Qing’s golden sword.

From the intense impact, Hong Qing’s face paled, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he looked at Lei Wanchun in disbelief. “Your sword…”

Lei Wanchun, also slightly pale, gave a disdainful sneer. “Hong Qing, you never expected this! My spiritual artifact surpasses yours. Today, you will learn the true chasm between superior and middle-grade artifacts!”

******

“What was meant to come has finally arrived.” The commotion outside was too great—no ordinary martial combat could create such noise. Sitou Qingqing, who had remained at Lei Yan’s side, immediately realized cultivators had come. A name flashed in her mind—Xuan Zhen.

Gazing at Lei Yan, unconscious on the bed, Sitou Qingqing spoke tenderly, “Mother may not be able to stay with you any longer.”

Awakened by the uproar, Lei Yan barely rose before hearing his mother’s words. A dreadful premonition filled his heart. “Mother, what’s wrong?” he asked anxiously.

“Child, you’re awake? Good! Listen carefully: in this family, trust only your father and Han Yu—trust no one else! I may not be able to stay with you. You must live well!” Tears streamed uncontrollably down Sitou Qingqing’s face. She stood, heart torn between worry for Lei Tiechuan outside and the hope that Lei Yan would not be afraid upon waking. She had waited as long as she could.

“Mother, mother…”

“Stay in this room! Do not come out!” Hardening her heart, Sitou Qingqing turned and ran out, ignoring Lei Yan’s desperate calls.

Stay in the room? For a three-year-old, perhaps such a warning would have worked. But for Lei Yan, with the memory of a previous life, it only deepened his urge to know what was happening—who had destroyed his happiness.

He crawled from bed, shaky but determined, and followed.

******

“Lei Wanchun possesses a superior artifact—I'm no match for him. My junior brothers cannot break free; the only option is to kill Lei Tiechuan swiftly—then I can find Sitou Qingqing!” In the front courtyard of the Lei residence, Hong Qing’s thoughts raced as Lei Wanchun closed in and his juniors struggled within the formation.

In a flash, as Lei Wanchun’s sword was about to strike, Hong Qing dodged aside and thrust his sword toward Lei Tiechuan’s heart, who was beset by his four juniors.

“No!!”

Sitou Qingqing arrived just in time to see Hong Qing’s blade descending on Lei Tiechuan. She had only intended to return with him and the others—she had never imagined this turn. Without a moment’s hesitation, she cried out and lunged like a streaking arrow to shield Lei Tiechuan.

A spray of blood burst from Sitou Qingqing’s chest as Hong Qing’s sword pierced her heart as easily as cutting tofu.

“No!”

Lei Tiechuan saw the woman before him collapse, his sorrow overwhelming. Tears streamed down his face as he rushed forward to catch her in his arms.

Leaning weakly against Lei Tiechuan, Sitou Qingqing’s bloodless face showed a pained smile. “Brother Chuan… to be… with you… even for such… a short… time… has been… the greatest… happiness of… my life! Though… it was… so brief… I was… truly… happy! Perhaps… my death… is… the best… ending. Promise me… Brother Chuan… do not… seek… revenge…”

“I promise you! I promise you anything!” Lei Tiechuan choked with tears. “You’ll be fine! I won’t let anything happen to you! Don’t speak—save your strength!”

“Han Yu, hurry! Fetch the physician! Quickly!” Lei Tiechuan shouted over his shoulder.

“Brother Chuan… if I don’t say it now… I might never have the chance… Promise me… let our son… live well…” Before she could finish, Sitou Qingqing was gone.

“No!”

“Ah!”

Lei Tiechuan’s heart felt as if torn apart at the thought of the gentle wife who had always yielded to him and doted on their son—and who would now be forever beyond his reach. If not for his promise to care for Lei Yan, he would have followed Sitou Qingqing into death.

Hong Qing was stunned; he had never imagined Sitou Qingqing would shield Lei Tiechuan with her own body. Xuan Zhen, resting nearby, was equally shocked. Sitou Qingqing’s sacrifice shattered his assumptions—he had always believed she was coerced into being with Lei Tiechuan. Now, he saw it had all been his own wishful thinking.

At that moment, Lei Wanchun seized the opportunity. Seeing Hong Qing stunned, he thrust his sword forward.

“Everyone, stop!” Lei Tiechuan suddenly roared.

Lei Wanchun, awed by Lei Tiechuan’s presence, actually halted.

Lei Tiechuan, eyes bloodshot, glared at Hong Qing and the others. “I promised Qingqing I would not seek revenge! Now get out—all of you! Leave!”

“We’re leaving,” Hong Qing said, unwilling to linger. Sitou Qingqing was dead—remaining would only bring humiliation. He grabbed the dazed Xuan Zhen and left by flying sword. The other four Taoists also departed.

After they left, black mist surged, enveloping Lei Wanchun as he flew back to the pavilion.

Everyone was gone. In the front courtyard, only Lei Tiechuan remained, clutching Sitou Qingqing’s body and weeping, surrounded by his loyal Lei Guards. Unseen, one small figure lingered—Lei Yan.

The battle he had just witnessed left Lei Yan deeply shaken. He had never imagined people could fly on swords; even with a lifetime of memories, this defied belief. Such figures, once seen only on television in his previous life, were everywhere in this world.

“If I had the power, my mother would not have died. If I had the strength, I could have kept my happiness.” Lei Yan’s small fists clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms. Never before had he so desperately longed for strength.

Recalling the happy days with his family, Lei Yan wept for the first time in his new life. “Mother, rest in peace! I will make them pay for what they’ve done!”

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