Chapter Twenty: Trouble

"Elementary Treatise on Formations!" Lei Yan's eyes gleamed. From his first encounter with the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation, he had been fascinated by the art of formations. Later, when he saw the illusory array laid by Ghost Venom Master in the Ghost Venom Sect, his yearning grew even deeper. Despite his interest, he regarded formations as a minor pursuit, something of little use when it came to real combat. Thus, he studied them only as a hobby and never deliberately sought out books on the subject. No doubt, those in Dragon Tyrant shared the same view and left this book here.

"I wonder what content this 'Elementary Treatise on Formations' actually covers?" Lei Yan’s curiosity was piqued; after all, his interest in formations was genuine.

"Formations are divided into offensive arrays, enhancement arrays, and sealing arrays..."

As Lei Yan flipped through the pages, his astonishment mounted. The mere classifications of formations were enough to surprise him. He had not expected such a broad spectrum, nor that they could be used both for combat and for aiding cultivation. Reading the descriptions, his heart stirred with excitement. He quickly turned to the latter pages, eager to find a formation he could try out.

But disappointment soon followed. The book, thick as a ruler’s length, contained not a single actual formation, even after he reached the last page. Unwilling to give up, he started over from the beginning, determined to miss nothing. This time, he read every word carefully.

As he read, Lei Yan forgot about time, hunger, and everything else. He was utterly absorbed. The treatise did not instruct on the arrangement of formations, but rather discussed their underlying principles—the mechanics behind their operation, the calculations involved. While these seemed to have little practical use, Lei Yan understood that knowing the principles meant one could deduce a formation’s effects, its weaknesses, and how to break it.

Night had fallen outside. Lei Yan lit an oil lamp and prepared to continue his research, when suddenly, rhythmic knocking sounded at the door.

"Knock knock... knock knock..."

The measured knocking interrupted Lei Yan’s reading. He rose and opened the door to find Fang Zhong anxiously waiting. No sooner had Lei Yan emerged than Fang Zhong urged, "Come quickly!"

Fang Zhong strode ahead, muttering as he walked, "You rascal, it’s so late and you haven’t gone back even once. Things outside are on the verge of chaos."

"Damn!" Lei Yan cursed inwardly. He had been so engrossed in the treatise that he had forgotten everything, even Qing Ling.

"Hand Lei over, or I’ll make sure you don’t have a moment’s peace!" As expected, just as Lei Yan stepped out of the pharmacy’s courtyard, he heard Qing Ling’s voice.

In truth, Qing Ling had not intended to venture out. Having just woken, she obediently began cultivating. But as time passed and her stomach growled, Lei Yan had still not returned, and she didn’t know where to find food. So she waited. Anyone who has awaited another knows how time drags—every moment feels like a year. As she waited and waited, Lei Yan never came, and her mind began to whirl with anxious conjectures: perhaps Lei Yan had abandoned her, perhaps he’d been captured by the people here. She imagined every possibility. Ultimately, she convinced herself that Lei Yan had been taken prisoner, which prompted her to go out in search of him.

Lei Yan hurried over in long strides, finding a crowd encircling Qing Ling. Amidst them, he immediately spotted Lu Kai, whose build was like a small mountain.

"Miss Ling, this is really a misunderstanding. Your man is now one of us; why would we harm him? He’s in the pharmacy right now. If you doubt it, you can come with me to see him!" Lu Kai recalled what Cui Ba had said upon hearing the news: "You brought them here, so you deal with it!" The memory left him thoroughly vexed.

"Yes! Lei is in the pharmacy," echoed one of the bandits.

"This woman is so unreasonable," another grumbled.

"Exactly! If Lei weren’t one of Dragon Tyrant’s own, I’d have acted already!" exclaimed a bandit wielding a single-edged blade.

Though their words were sharp, none raised a hand against her. On the contrary, Qing Ling had knocked out a few of them with poison, though she had only rendered them unconscious.

"Move aside, move aside!" Lei Yan pushed through the crowd, heading toward her.

"Ling’er, are you alright?" Lei Yan grasped Qing Ling’s hand, scanning her from head to toe with concern. He was particularly wary of Lu Kai’s heavy hands—Qing Ling’s frail body would hardly withstand a single blow.

"I’m fine!" Qing Ling had intended to berate Lei Yan upon seeing him, but the concern in his eyes made her forget every word she had prepared.

Hearing Lei Yan’s voice, Lu Kai complained, "Lei, next time keep your woman in check! Her commotion knocked out several of our brothers."

"My apologies, everyone. Ling’er was only worried about me, that’s why she acted. I beg your forgiveness," Lei Yan turned and bowed to Lu Kai and the others. Afterward, he checked the unconscious men, relieved to find that Qing Ling had shown restraint. He took a few pills from his demon artifact and placed them in the mouths of the bandits; moments later, they regained consciousness.

"Disperse!" Lu Kai ordered.

With the matter settled, the bandits dispersed, leaving Lu Kai staring at Lei Yan in surprise. He could not fathom how the sickly youth from yesterday now brimmed with vigor. "Lei, what’s with your transformation today?"

"It’s nothing, just some medicine," Lei Yan replied casually.

Qing Ling was not surprised. She knew Lei Yan’s ailment well—it was merely weakness. She herself could concoct medicine to restore him, so naturally Lei Yan could too.

"Lu Kai, there’s trouble," Lei Yan’s brows suddenly furrowed. He noticed wisps of black smoke on the horizon, faint but unmistakable. Without hesitation, he spread his abilities outward to their limit, sensing two figures clad in black swiftly approaching from the direction of the marsh. Their attire and aura made it clear: they were here with hostile intent.

"Trouble?" Lu Kai was puzzled. Outsiders hardly knew Dragon Tyrant’s location, and insiders never fought among themselves. What trouble could there be?

"Look behind you," Lei Yan pointed.

Lu Kai followed Lei Yan’s gesture. Wisps of black smoke drifted into view, and the sounds of battle echoed from distant wooden huts, growing ever clearer.

"I’ll go check it out," Lu Kai said, frowning, and dashed off without a backward glance.