Chương 65: Founding

'Finally. They're retreating.' Shu Yang watched as the last enemy soldiers disappeared behind the distant hill. He looked down at his bloodstained hands and noticed they were shaking. Even if he had taken a life before, this was a different experience altogether. As a Master among martial warriors, Shu Yang cleaved through the enemy with no resistance. It felt as easy as harvesting crops in the field. He looked across the battlefield, bodies strewn everywhere, and couldn't help but feel sick.

'I guess I should just be glad that this war didn't arrive a few years earlier when I was still a martial warrior, or I might be the one lying dead on the ground.'

'I wonder what these men would have managed to accomplish if they were given the chance to live.' Shu Yang shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He knew that he couldn't let himself take in just how many people had died here; it would drive him mad. He turned around and walked back toward the camp's rear, where Shen Ye was stationed. As he walked, he passed quite a few survivors, some of whom looked at him with grateful eyes.

Remembering that he had also saved these lives made the slaughter he had committed a little easier to accept. As he took another step, a strange feeling emerged from within him. An inexplicable surge of energy came over him.

'What's happening?' Shu Yang thought as his heart started beating faster and faster.

'This feeling! Could it be?' Something seemed to snap inside him, and a surge of power washed over him. Shu Yang closed his eyes and thoroughly enjoyed the moment. He turned his focus inward, toward the Bloodline Tree in his sea of consciousness. It looked more vibrant than ever, with lush red leaves sprouting and swaying slightly. Shu Yang had never seen the Bloodline Tree this clearly before; every single detail stood out to him, and it felt as if he could even touch it should he reach out a hand.

The tree grew upward, not stopping until it was 10 feet high. Shu Yang looked up at it from below and felt that his body was receiving some kind of blessing from it. It felt like a gentle wind blew from the tree, washing his body and soul clean. He didn't know how long the moment lasted, but it was the most euphoric experience Shu Yang had ever had. Even as the moment passed and the Bloodline Tree's leaves stopped their swaying, Shu Yang didn't want to open his eyes.

But there was nothing he could do; the moment was gone, and the pleasant feeling had turned into a memory to savor.

'What a wonderfu- Wait!' Shu Yang's eyes shot open.

'What just happened?' He had been so enraptured by the feeling that his thoughts had turned off for a moment; it was as if he were a small child in his mother's embrace, without a worry in the world. But now, Shu Yang's head cleared, and his thoughts started racing.

'Did my bloodline advance?' [Bloodline Power: 10. 02 (Founding - Low)] [Traits: Good martial art talent, Clear Mind, Piercing Gaze, Trash-grade spiritual roots]'10. 02! It actually did! How!?' For some reason, perhaps intuition, Shu Yang hurriedly sensed his connection to his son Tianhu. [Name: Shu Tianhu] [Bloodline Power: 9. 99 (Mortal - High)] [Traits: -]'This kid… He actually almost got himself a Saintly Bloodline.' This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent.

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'Wait, no. A Founding Bloodline?' Shu Yang had called it another name without realizing it. Even if it should be the same thing as what people call a Saintly Bloodline, Shu Yang could feel through his connection to the Bloodline Tree that that wasn't the right word for it. Above the Mortal Bloodline was the Founding Bloodline. That was what he felt was correct.

'It doesn't matter. What's important is how Tianhu managed to increase his Bloodline Power like that.' Shu Yang didn't really need to guess; he had heard how Tianhu managed to increase it the last time. It should be a similar case this time. He probably took another step forward in his comprehension of sword intent.

'Last time he was up against three Grandmasters…What did he encounter this time?' Tianhu shouldn't be able to be threatened by anyone other than a Saint. At least, that was what Shu Yang had thought before.

'A cultivator…Maybe several.' Shu Yang frowned, feeling worried. He could tell Tianhu was alive, and judging from the increase in Bloodline Power, he should have just unleashed a very powerful sword strike. But would that be enough? Shu Yang focused on his connection to his son; every second that passed felt like torture. He was afraid that the connection could be severed at any moment. After a few minutes, Shu Yang gradually relaxed.

'He should…be fine, right?'

'Either he won the fight with that sword strike, or he lost and has been captured.'

'Either way, he is alive. That's enough.' Unfortunately, there was no way of telling how he was doing besides that.

'I need to go over there. If he's been caught, there isn't much time before he'll be out of my reach.' Shu Yang quickened his steps.

"Good work. Are you alright?" Shen Ye asked as Shu Yang came up to him.

"I…suppose. Either way, I'm going to find Tianhu. Are you coming with me?" Shu Yang asked. Shen Ye frowned.

"You think they were attacked over there as well?"

"I know they were," Shu Yang answered, "So I need to hurry."

"Even if they were, they should be able to handle it," Shen Ye said.

"Either way, we'll receive word of the situation soon. It's better to wait for information before making a decision."

"I already know the situation," Shu Yang said.

"Did you forget about the cultivator?"

"Cultivator?" Shen Ye asked.

"The Immortal," Shu Yang clarified, pointing into the distance where the cultivator's body still lay.

"I took a look at him," Shen Ye said with a frown, "He seems a little strange, but why do you say he's an Immortal?"

"Because he was invisible and moved like he was using magic," Shu Yang said.

"If he was invisible, how did-" Shen Ye began, but Shu Yang cut him off.

"Believe me or not, I don't care," Shu Yang said. He could have shown Shen Ye the spatial pouch to prove his point, but he didn't want to reveal to anyone that he had something like that.

"Just know that I'm telling the truth, that man could use magic. And his mission was clearly to assassinate us two Masters. Considering the reports about a large force gathering, and this sudden attack, I'm very certain Tianhu and Xiaoshi experienced the same thing we did. But they might not be as lucky and only have to deal with one of these Immortals." Shen Ye frowned, thinking for a moment.

"Even if it is as you say, going there won't change anything. The battle will already be long over. It's better to wait for more information before making a decision. Especially one that will brand you as a deserter, I should remind you." Shu Yang looked at Shen Ye, completely baffled. He knew Shen Ye didn't have access to the same information he did, but wasn't the situation still obvious?

"Deserter? Don't you understand? This attack didn't just happen to us. If I had to guess, it was the same for every single camp all along the border. No warnings from scouts, a larger army descending from nowhere, and in most cases, Masters assassinated just as the battle started. What's the point in waiting for a report? The Luo Kingdom is being taken over as we speak. Even if you stay here, you won't receive any messages; you'll be surrounded by the Empire's forces.

"As for why I'm going over there despite the battle being over, you should be more aware than others that these people don't always go for the kill. If Tianhu and Xiaoshi lost, there is a big risk that they have been captured. If we leave immediately, there is still a chance to rescue them." Shen Ye was silent for a while, but he didn't look doubtful anymore. His frown had turned to one of worry instead.

"Then let's go," Shen Ye said. He turned to the surviving soldiers and called out, "We won this battle, but we believe we are among the few who did! In all likelihood, the Empire's forces are already entering the kingdom! Master Shu and I need to hurry and reinforce where we can. I'm sorry, but we can't wait for you. You are all dismissed! If you want my advice, go home to your families and protect them!" Shen Ye didn't wait for a response from the sparse crowd. He turned around and started running west.

Shu Yang had to admit, Shen Ye at least wasn't one to dawdle once he made a decision. Shu Yang didn't linger either and hurried after him. He was very curious about his advanced bloodline and what effects it might have on him. But there wasn't time at the moment; he would have to wait until he and Shen Ye needed rest before examining himself more closely.

'I hope I can get some clues to Tianhu's whereabouts quickly. If things delay, I'll have to return home whether I find him or not. If things are really as bad as I'm guessing, it won't be long before the Yan Kingdom is invaded, and I need to get the rest of the family to safety.'