C18 Kidnapping

"Lee Qingyun, so it was you who abducted my disciple and left him injured! Are you trying to provoke a full-scale conflict between our sects?" A group of five approached up the mountain, led by an elder in the center who confronted Lee Qingyun with a stern voice.

"Oh, him?" Lee Qingyun responded casually. "He infiltrated Twin Rage, attempting to steal our secret texts. By the rules of Twin Rage, he should've been executed immediately!"

"However, considering it was his first offense, and fearing that malevolent forces might exploit the situation to incite war between our sects, I simply rendered him unconscious."

"If you wish to retrieve him, it'll cost you 100 spirit stones for his release."

Aoxue's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Lee Qingyun. The Sect Master looked respectable enough, but his words were sheer, unabashed fabrication.

"You... You're falsely accusing me!" a disciple yelled. "It was your people who knocked him out at the base of the mountain."

"Enough talk! Hand over 100 spirit stones if you want him back. If you can't pay, then leave," Lee Qingyun retorted.

The elder at the forefront spoke up, "Lee Qingyun, I am Liu Yunquan, an Inner Sect Elder of the Soul Capturing Sect. Show some respect and release him. I'm willing to overlook this... but if you refuse..."

"Well, then don't expect any courtesy in return..."

Lee Qingyun acknowledged, "I recognize you, Liu Yunquan, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with a medium-grade Dao Foundation. Against your strength, my low-grade Dao Foundation doesn't stand much of a chance..."

"Hmph!" Liu Yunquan grunted. "Then hand him over without further delay."

Lee Qingyun replied, "But I have no intention of fighting you. Instead, I'll have our Great Elder take my place."

Liu Yunquan, puzzled, began to ask, "Great Elder? Since when does Twin Rage have a..."

He was cut off mid-sentence as Aoxue launched her attack. Her weapon was unique—a red silk ribbon. As she wielded the three-foot-long ribbon, it flowed with a gentle grace yet carried an undeniable power.

Liu Yunquan managed to evade, but in a swift motion, the ribbon ensnared the other four, unleashing a burst of spiritual energy that knocked them down. Then, without pause, it lashed out at Liu Yunquan once more.

Lee Qingyun sat leisurely to the side, watching with amusement as Liu Yunquan was relentlessly pursued by a three-foot-long red silk band, leaping and hollering in a desperate attempt to escape. As expected, it didn't take long for Aoxue to apprehend him.

The five culprits were bound with the red silk and lined up before Lee Qingyun. Liu Yunquan fought fiercely against his restraints. "Lee Qingyun, just let me go. I'll give you the hundred spirit stones if that's what it takes."

Lee Qingyun crouched before Liu Yunquan, his expression one of bemusement. "Elder Liu Yunquan, let's not play the fool, shall we? You and your group came to our Twin Rage Sect's gates looking for trouble. Now you've been captured. You do realize that, right?"

Liu Yunquan, as if struck by a sudden realization, nodded slowly, his expression vacant.

"Good, you understand. An Inner Sect Disciple caught spying could be dealt with for a hundred spirit stones. But this? An elder leading a provocation—or let's call it a challenge—against us? Do you really think that's a matter to settle with a mere hundred spirit stones?"

Liu Yunquan shook his head.

Lee Qingyun clapped his hands together, "Exactly my point."

He then signaled to a sharp-looking disciple clad in grey. "Return to the Soul Capturing Sect and inform them that Elder Liu initiated a provocation against the Twin Rage Sect and has been detained by our Great Elder. Sect Master Lee demands an explanation and six thousand spirit stones for their release."

The grey-clothed disciple's face registered shock. "Six thousand spirit stones?"

Lee Qingyun explained, "Counting you, that makes six people. Naturally, it's six thousand spirit stones."

The disciple nodded vigorously. "Got it, got it. I'm on my way." And with that, he dashed off.

Meanwhile, Aoxue gazed at Lee Qingyun with a mix of awe and curiosity. "Are you in dire need of money?"

Lee Qingyun glanced at Aoxue and replied, "I'm not short on cash, but our sect could use the funds."

"But wasn't this person initially worth just a hundred spirit stones?" Aoxue gestured towards the first captive she had escorted up the mountain.

“His worth has skyrocketed by tenfold now!”

Lee Qingyun hoisted the man up and tossed him toward Elder Liu and his companions.

Elder Liu's face contorted with spasms, but ultimately, he exhaled deeply and remained silent.

Lee Qingyun strolled over and gave Aoxue a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “It's a necessary evil, Elder Aoxue. Our sect is in its infancy and in dire need of spirit stones. I hope you understand.”

Aoxue shrugged off his touch, clarifying, "It's Yang. Just Yang."

"Ah! Elder Yang! Indeed, a fine name!" Lee Qingyun maintained his composure, emphasizing the name once more.

"Hmph, no shame," Aoxue huffed, choosing to disregard Lee Qingyun further.

Yet, inwardly, she was taken aback. She had encountered many prodigies from major sects, but Lee Qingyun struck her as truly unique.

He possessed an admirable temperament and grace, yet when faced with challenges, he would drop pretenses and cleverly employ rogue tactics to secure advantages for himself.

He was, without a doubt, a fascinating man.

...

Despite being over two hundred years old, the Seventh Elder looked remarkably youthful, with a full head of white hair, rosy lips, and pearly teeth. He sat cross-legged on his cushion, leisurely enjoying his tea. Casting a brief glance at the disciple standing attentively below, he prompted, "Out with it. What's the matter?"

"Yes, sir," Xiong Jianmu replied with due reverence.

Xiong Jianmu was the disciple Lee Qingyun had released to deliver a message. A disciple of Liu Yunquan and a member of the Soul Capturing Sect's Inner Sect, he often exploited his status to intimidate lesser one-star and two-star sects.

But today, he had met his match and even fractured his leg in the process. This incident wouldn't be easily forgotten!

Liu Yunquan was merely a regular Inner Sect Elder, acting on orders from the Seventh Elder for this mission to the Twin Rage Sect.

The Seventh Elder, mentor to the core disciple Zhang Tiankui, held a rank significantly above Liu Yunquan's.

The Great Elder had commanded the Seventh Elder, who, reluctant to act himself, delegated the task to Liu Yunquan, Xiong Jianmu's master. Little did they expect that an esteemed Elder of the Soul Capturing Sect would end up captured.

Liu Yunquan, his master, was no match for Lee Qingyun and ended up being captured. To settle the score with Qingyun, his only option was to seek help from the Seventh Elder. And if the Seventh Elder couldn't handle it, then the Great Elder would be the next step. Pshaw! As if the Seventh Elder wouldn't be up to the task. He'll surely give that scoundrel Lee Qingyun the thrashing he deserves!

All the analysis and weighing of interests had already played out in Xiong Jianmu's mind. When he finally met with the Seventh Elder, the multitude of concerns and internal monologues condensed into a single plea:

"Seventh Elder! You must stand up for us! Lee Qingyun has abducted my master!"

"Eh? What's that?" The Seventh Elder nearly fumbled his tea upon hearing this, spilling it onto his beard.

"Lee Qingyun... he's taken my master and my junior brothers captive... and he's demanding six thousand spirit stones for their release..."

"Insolence!" The Seventh Elder slammed his teacup down on the table and swiftly used his spiritual power to evaporate the tea that had splashed onto him, masking his awkwardness.

"What exactly did he say?"

Xiong Jianmu quickly bowed his head, feigning ignorance of the awkward moment, and replied, "He claimed he's taken six of us captive, and he's demanding six thousand spirit stones for our ransom..."

"Wasn't it five people?"

"He included me in the count."

The Seventh Elder was at a loss for words.

"Rascal!"