C9 Escape Without Fighting

Confronted with a relentless barrage of bolts, Wang Xu's face paled as he swiftly swung his sharp longsword, deflecting each projectile.

Wang Xu lived up to his reputation as a first-rate warrior. His formidable inner strength made his blade exceedingly sharp, allowing him to effortlessly parry the bolts and prevent any harm.

Despite his skill, the sheer number of bolts was overwhelming. While Wang Xu managed to block most of them, a few slipped past his defenses, piercing his flesh and eliciting a stifled groan as blood seeped out.

In the chaos, Yang Rui seized the opportunity to close the distance, darting ten meters under the cover of the arrow storm. He raised his short stick with a ferocious power, aiming a brutal blow at Wang Xu's head, intent on crushing it.

Sensing the devastating force behind the strike, Wang Xu's face contorted in alarm, and he quickly raised his arm in defense.

Crack!

A sharp crack resounded as the stick shattered Wang Xu's arm, sending him sprawling to the ground in agony.

Without missing a beat, Yang Rui advanced, delivering another merciless strike with his stick. The blow shattered Wang Xu's ribcage and limbs, rendering him incapacitated.

"Young Master, are you alright?" Yang Hai approached Yang Rui with a look of deep concern.

"I'm fine, Hai Bo! What's the status of the Yang family's casualties?" Yang Rui inquired, glancing at the fallen guards.

"Young Master, we've lost six guards, and twenty-six are injured—twelve critically. Even after they heal, they'll be disabled," Yang Hai reported somberly.

"Compensate the families of the fallen guards with double the usual amount. The Yang family will ensure their well-being. Award each injured guard ten gold coins and secure the finest doctor with the best medicines for their treatment. For those critically injured, grant an additional fifty gold coins each. Once they've recovered, the Yang family will provide for them, ensuring they want for nothing," Yang Rui instructed gently.

"Yes, Young Master!" Yang Hai nodded in affirmation.

"Leave this thief to you, then. I want a full report on him!"

Once he had given instructions to the guards, Yang Rui's icy gaze fell upon Wang Xu, who was sprawled on the ground.

"Don't worry, Young Master. I assure you, he'll spill everything he knows!" Yang Hai responded, his face etched with a deadly resolve.

With Yang Hai's assurance, Yang Rui nodded and retreated to his bedroom, entrusting the follow-up to Yang Hai.

The following morning, a weary Yang Hai entered Yang Rui's study to report, "Young Master, the thief from last night was Wang Xu, leader of the Blackrock Marauders. His assassination attempt was in retaliation for your annihilation of their band at Blackrock Crest.

Furthermore, the Blackrock Marauders' siege on the blackstone mine was orchestrated by Sun Yuqi, patriarch of the Sun family from Rogueforest. They aimed to draw you out and eliminate you there.

"Prior to his attempt on your life, Wang Xu had an audience with Sun Yuqi and accepted a torn treasure map as payment for your assassination..."

Upon hearing Yang Hai's briefing, a dangerous glint flickered in Yang Rui's eyes as he spoke with chilling resolve, "Hai Bo, assemble a contingent of first-rate guards for me. I intend to crush the Sun family of Rogueforest underfoot!"

"Young Master, I have selected a hundred of our finest guards. They stand ready at the Yang family training field, prepared to march on Rogueforest at your command," Yang Hai declared, his voice booming with lethal intent.

"Excellent! I shall set out to crush Rogueforest this instant!"

With a resolute shout, Yang Rui rose and made his way to the training field.

"Mount up, and follow me to conquer Rogueforest!"

Arriving at the training field, Yang Rui surveyed the hundred elite guards poised for battle. With a commanding cry, he swung onto his horse and galloped from the Yang family estate.

Inspired by Yang Rui's lead, the elite guards mounted their steeds and charged in his wake toward Rogueforest.

Rogueforest lay over a hundred miles from Oakenbreak, and it took Yang Rui and his men over an hour to reach the town's gates.

At that moment, the gates of Rogueforest stood wide open, with a massive white banner planted above them. Hundreds of sturdy men, clad in simple garments and unarmed, stood in orderly rows, gazing out beyond the city walls.

Upon the arrival of Yang Rui and his entourage, the leader of these men, a robust figure, briskly approached with a letter in hand and called out, "Guard Captain Gao Jun of Rogueforest at your service, Mr. Yang. This is a letter from Mr. Sun to Mr. Yang!"

Yang Rui's brow furrowed slightly at Gao Jun's words. With a swift gesture, Yang Ann stepped forward from the crowd, took the letter from Gao Jun, and handed it to Yang Rui.

Yang Rui carefully read the letter, a complex expression crossing his face.

He had not anticipated Sun Yuqi's decisive action. Upon learning of Wang Xu's capture, Sun Yuqi had swiftly left Rogueforest with his family, close associates, and years of accumulated wealth, effectively handing over control of Rogueforest to Yang Rui.

"Gao Jun, what were Mr. Sun's parting words?" Yang Rui casually placed the letter in his pocket and turned his attention to Gao Jun.

"Mr. Yang, before his departure, Mr. Sun commended your exceptional talent and promising future. He instructed us to loyally serve and assist you," Gao Jun responded promptly.

"Yang Ann, effective today, you are the mayor of Rogueforest, responsible for its governance!"

Upon hearing Gao Jun's declaration, Yang Rui directed his gaze to Yang Ann and announced the appointment with authority.

After the announcement, Yang Rui left fifty elite guards to support Yang Ann in his new role overseeing Rogueforest. With the remaining guards, he departed for Oakenbreak.

Back in Oakenbreak, Yang Rui entrusted all affairs of both Oakenbreak and Rogueforest to Yang Hai and others, while he dedicated himself to his medicinal baths and martial cultivation, seeking to enhance his own prowess.

In the span of just half a month, Yang Rui had advanced his Ninefold Body Forging to the eighth level, doubling his strength to an astonishing 12,800 kilograms, surpassing even a peerless warrior and rivaling one in the early period of the Innate.

After completing the eighth turn of Body Tempering, Yang Rui's combat prowess had surged dramatically. Although he might not be on par with Innate Martial Warriors, he could certainly hold his own against peerless warriors. In Brittlecoast, a town teeming with masters, he was recognized as a top-tier expert, surpassed only by a handful of Innate Experts.

"Young Master, the time has come for tax collection in Brittlecoast. I have prepared the taxes for Oakenbreak and Rogueforest. They require your personal delivery!" Yang Hai approached Yang Rui, his face etched with seriousness.

Brittlecoast, a city governed directly by the Ember Empire, oversaw more than ten smaller towns in the vicinity. As long as these towns paid their taxes punctually, Brittlecoast would not meddle in their internal affairs. However, if a town failed to meet its tax obligations, Brittlecoast would dispatch experts to eliminate the delinquent town's leader and appoint a new one.

For a small town like Oakenbreak, timely tax payment was crucial, a matter of life and death for the town's leader, necessitating personal oversight of the tax escort.

"Alright, I understand," Yang Rui responded quietly, a glint of eagerness in his eyes.

Having spent nearly two months in the Ember Empire, Yang Rui had devoted most of his time to cultivation, aside from attending to essential duties. Now, it was time for him to step out, explore, and unwind.