C5 You will Pay a Hundred Times More

The Essence Vein at Yang Xiao's Dantian was already partially open. Channeling all the Vital Spirit within him, he focused his full power on the Dantian.

With a final push, Yang Xiao expelled a mouthful of blood. Yet, there was no hint of agony on his face; such trials were a rite of passage for every cultivator. Opening the body's first Essence Vein was bound to cause some damage.

Opening his eyes, Yang Xiao wiped the blood from his lips, a slight smile gracing his features. "With the Essence Vein open, I can now draw in the Vital Spirit from heaven and earth. The Four-dragon Ring will accelerate my cultivation, allowing me to amass even more Vital Spirit."

He had only been cultivating for one night, and his physical strength was nearly spent. He knew that his future practice would undoubtedly require a plethora of elixirs and potions. Despite the progress, Yang Xiao felt the pace of cultivation was too slow. If others were privy to his thoughts, they would be infuriated to the point of spitting blood themselves, considering some spend years just to breach their first Essence Vein.

"The Four-dragon Ring truly is remarkable. The Vital Spirit it refines is red, potent, and forceful, which eased my breakthrough of the Essence Vein considerably."

With the Essence Vein breached, Yang Xiao had also mastered the first ring of the Four-dragon Ring. A barrier enveloping the four realms manifested within him, promising breakthroughs with each barrier he overcame.

Having shattered one barrier, Yang Xiao gained an ability akin to a martial technique, transforming into an imperceptible phantom, invisible to the eye and untouchable by attacks. This level of prowess from just the first ring was impressive, and it was daunting to consider the potential of further cultivation. He wondered which celestial being had bequeathed the Four-dragon Ring.

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Xiao allowed himself a knowing smile. "Speculation is fruitless. When I reach that realm one day, perhaps all will be revealed."

Following a brief rest to regain some strength, Yang Xiao resumed his cultivation.

When he next opened his eyes, dawn had broken. Before he could stretch his limbs, Yang Weiyue approached him, her gaze lowered. She offered a bowl of white rice porridge, whispering gently, "Brother, it's time for breakfast."

In his previous life, Yang Xiao had savored the most exquisite delicacies from land and sea. Yet, the first meal he faced after his rebirth was a simple bowl of white rice porridge. The bowl was brimming with little more than rice water; the grains themselves were scarcely visible, rendering the meal utterly bland.

Despite this, the porridge was brought to him by his sister, and Yang Xiao was about to accept it when he noticed something amiss. His brow furrowed, he said, "What's wrong with you? Lift your head and let me see."

After a moment's hesitation, Yang Weiyue slowly raised her head, revealing a red and swollen cheek. Yang Xiao's face darkened at the sight.

His expression turned icy as he demanded, "What happened?"

"I... I fell by accident when I got up this morning," Yang Weiyue stammered, avoiding his gaze.

Yang Xiao's frown deepened as he drew Weiyue closer and pressed, "Did you forget what I told you last night? Be honest with me; I've got your back."

Tears welled up in Weiyue's eyes as she lowered her head and whispered, "Yesterday, I didn't go to help out in the backyard. This morning, when I went to fetch our meal, the kitchen supervisor said since I hadn't worked the day before, I had no right to food today. I argued with him, and in his anger, he struck me. He said I could have food, but only their leftovers."

Yang Xiao's fists clenched, his expression growing colder. "It seems the lesson I taught last night wasn't clear enough. I'll have to make my point again."

With that, he took Weiyue by the hand and strode out of the room, heading directly for the Yang Mansion kitchen.

As they made their way, Yang Xiao and Weiyue moved quickly, drawing whispers and stares from many onlookers.

Previously, there were those in the mansion who would have greeted them warmly. Now, they stepped aside, avoiding eye contact, as if they were strangers. Clearly, the news of Yang Xiao's wrathful deed the night before—slaying E Tiangan—was spreading, and nobody wanted to get entangled in their affairs, fearing the repercussions.

Upon seeing Yang Xiao's furious demeanor, Yang Weiyue's mind raced back to the previous night's events. Clutching his hand tightly, she whispered, "Brother, we've already caused enough trouble last night. Let's just let it go today. I... I'm not in pain anymore. I'm okay..."

Yang Xiao halted, turning to Yang Weiyue with a serious tone, "Xiao Yue! I've promised you that we won't take any more bullying from anyone. As long as I'm around, anyone who dares to hurt you will pay a thousandfold!"

Despite her fear, Yang Weiyue said nothing more and quickly followed Yang Xiao towards the kitchen.

Before long, Yang Xiao reached the courtyard of the Yang Mansion's kitchen. Mealtime had passed, and the doors were firmly closed. Without hesitation, Yang Xiao delivered a forceful kick to the door.

"Bam!" The door burst open!

A portly man rushed out from the kitchen, bellowing, "Who's the blind fool daring to kick in the Yang Mansion's door?"

It was none other than Chief Cook Liu, the man in charge of the entire Yang Mansion's kitchen.

Chief Cook Liu, taken aback at first, quickly regained his composure and looked at Yang Xiao with disdain. "I wondered who it was. Turns out it's Young Master Yang Xiao. What's the matter? Didn't like this morning's porridge? You know, people eat their own kind, and dogs eat theirs. You..."

Before he could finish his taunt, Yang Xiao, eyes blazing with rage, delivered a fierce kick straight to Chief Cook Liu's mouth.

"Ahhh!"

Despite his size, Chief Cook Liu stumbled backward, clutching his mouth. If not for a table catching him, he would have toppled over. He winced in agony.

The noise alarmed the lazy servants, who rushed out only to freeze in shock at the sight before them.

To everyone, Yang Xiao had been an easy target, someone they could easily push around. That's why Chief Cook Liu had been so bold. But he certainly hadn't anticipated being on the receiving end of such a swift kick.

"Yang Xiao, you..." Chief Cook Liu began, hand over his mouth, but a servant quickly grabbed him from behind, cautioning, "Chief Cook Liu, please, don't do anything rash..."

The servant leaned in and whispered urgently into his ear, startling Chief Cook Liu into exclaiming, "What? E Tiangan has been murdered!"

"How dare you strike my sister!" Yang Xiao seethed as he swiftly approached Chief Cook Liu. Before Liu could even react, Yang Xiao's foot connected with his stomach.

"Ah! Ugh..."

Overwhelmed by pain, Chief Cook Liu's legs buckled, and he fell to his knees, retching uncontrollably, his face smeared with a mix of snot and sweat.

"Young Master Yang Xiao... I was wrong," Chief Cook Liu whimpered, a man who was only tough with the weak and cowered before the strong, desperately trying to apologize.

"Too late! You slapped my sister, and I'll repay you a hundredfold!" Yang Xiao was relentless, refusing to let Liu apologize. He smacked Liu's chubby cheek, one slap following another in rapid succession.

Slap! Slap! Slap! The sound of his slaps echoed like thunder.

"Ah! Ahhhh!" Liu's screams mingled with the brutal symphony of slaps.

Liu's fleshy face was nearly disfigured, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he rolled on the ground, clutching his face and howling in agony.

As Yang Xiao prepared to deliver another slap, a furious roar erupted from behind: "You beast, Yang Xiao! Have you completely lost your mind?"

The newcomer was E Zhengqing, the butler of Yang Mansion, whose son had met a tragic end. Several guards were in tow.

Yang Xiao hesitated only briefly, paying no mind to the incensed E Zhengqing. He stood tall, his foot planted firmly on the chest of the writhing, wailing Chief Cook Liu, then turned to face Yang Weiyue, who was visibly shaken. He demanded, "Xiao Yue! Which hand did he use to hit you?"

"Brother, please... let's just leave it," pleaded Yang Weiyue, sensing the situation escalating.

"Which hand?" Yang Xiao insisted, his tone brooking no argument.

Startled by her brother's stern voice—a first for her—Yang Weiyue's eyes brimmed with tears as she stammered, "The... the right hand."

As soon as Yang Weiyue's words had fallen, Yang Xiao drew the dagger from his waist and slashed at Chief Cook Liu's right arm on the ground.

The blade descended with a swift motion!

"Puchi!"

"Ah!" A blood-curdling scream echoed as Chief Cook Liu's right arm was severed from his body, blood spraying in all directions.

The kitchen fell deathly silent. Some of the more faint-hearted servants clutched their mouths in terror and fled the scene.

E Zhengqing, who had just walked in, was visibly in shock. The sight had stunned everyone present.

Yang Weiyue, terrified, covered her eyes. Meanwhile, Chief Cook Liu had passed out from the excruciating pain.

After a moment, E Zhengqing managed to compose himself. He pointed at Yang Xiao and bellowed, "Madman! You dare to commit such violence before me again! This is utterly inexcusable!"

"Humph!" Yang Xiao scoffed, turning his dagger toward E Zhengqing and declared sharply, "Old fool, your son got what he deserved! For years, he tormented my sister and me, and you turned a blind eye, indulging his vile behavior! Killing him was letting him off easy."

At these words, E Zhengqing's face became an icy mask of rage. He hissed, "Yang Xiao! Yang Xiao! Even on the brink of death, you dare to insult my son who lies beyond this world!"

"Haha!" Yang Xiao burst into mocking laughter before his tone turned furious, "I cut down Chief Cook Liu, and I killed your son. What are you going to do about it? Come on, try to kill me. Let's see if you're any better than your deceased son!"

E Zhengqing, livid with rage, turned a shade of purple, ready to strike, but a guard restrained him, cautioning, "Steward E, be wary of his tricks. Remember, we need to apprehend him and present him to the Sect Master for judgment."

E Zhengqing slightly calmed down, recalling the Yang Xiao he had known before—a man of low cultivation, whose father's fate was uncertain, who spoke and acted with trepidation, nothing like the formidable presence he was now.

But the mere thought of his beloved son, who had perished at Yang Xiao's hands, ignited a fire within him that was hard to quench. His mind was consumed by a single desire: to exact vengeance on Yang Xiao.

"Yang Xiao! You murdered my son and then harmed Chief Cook Liu! You've brazenly committed violent acts one after another. If I don't bring you to justice today, how can Yang Mansion maintain its reputation in Azure Connection City?" E Zhengqing glared at his nemesis, his voice filled with venom. "This very moment, in my capacity as the steward of Yang Mansion, I am duty-bound to apprehend you and present you before the Sect Master. You will be subjected to the most severe punishment – death by a thousand cuts!"