History's Strongest Senior Brother c1-1474

by 八月飞鹰, Ba Yue Fei Ying, August Eagle

  Zhao Yuan looked at Zhao Hao, saying mildly, “Looks like Sixteenth Brother doesn’t intend to continue making any further attempts? Then, the results of this competition of ours; what do you say?”

  Zhao Hao’s body shook.

  Opening his eyes, he didn’t even look at Zhao Yuan at all as he just stared straight at Yan Zhaoge, “I’ve always been hunting sparrows, yet today had my eye pecked out by my own bird…”

  Sucking in a deep breath, he opened his mouth, “It’s my loss this time.”

  Zhao Hao looked at Zhao Yuan a little coldly, not bothering to say anything more.

  He was completely sure that he would have won if he had asked Zhao Yuan to concoct a Treatment Pill himself. Let alone being able to compete with him, Zhao Yuan’s final product wouldn’t even have been worthy of carrying the proverbial shoes for his own Treatment Pill.

  However, he had already declared earlier that what Zhao Yuan could do, he, Zhao Hao, could do even better; if the former could prove otherwise, it would count as his loss.

  The result now, however, was that what Zhao Yuan had been able to do, he had failed in doing.

  Although, it was definitely impossible that that had been the real ability of that Zhao Yuan. He had definitely been guided by Yan Zhaoge, sending over sound transmissions via his aura-qi.

  Zhao Hao snorted coldly, directly saying, “That person who was killed by me earlier didn’t have much useful information to speak of.”

  “There was only one thing: the scope of their organisation is extremely large. It does not only encompass the Eastern Tang, nor does it only cover the East Heaven Region.”

  “At the very least, there is also a gathering point for them in the North Heaven Region, just that he didn’t possess any more concrete information regarding it.”

  Standing by the side, Yan Zhaoge heard all this and committed it to memory. However, his line of vision still fell on Zhao Shilie.

  Waving his hand, he kept the Radiant Sun Wheel. As the spiritual glow faded, the light within Zhao Shilie’s gaze also visibly dimmed somewhat.

  “When we’ve returned to the Eastern Tang capital, I’ll still have to disturb Your Highness Jin.” Yan Zhaoge said with a very peaceful smile on his face.

  Zhao Shilie looked first at Zhao Hao, next at Zhao Yuan, then at Yan Zhaoge, the expression on his face consecutively changing a few times before he forced himself to laugh, “Zhaoge coming to visit; this Prince naturally welcomes it.”

  He looked towards Zhao Yuan, saying in a heavy tone, “Royal Nephew Yuan has actually become familiar with an ancient alchemical technique originating from before the Great Calamity; this is a cause for celebration indeed.”

  “However, when do you intend to widen its use? Such a technique would be sufficient in allowing the quality of the pills and medicines produced in my Eastern Tang to rise to a whole new level ah.”

  Zhao Yuan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, “What Royal Uncle Jin says is true. Still, your nephew is barely proficient in the technique, and is currently still in the process of analysing and working it out. I intended to at least gain a small level of attainment in it first before reporting the matter to Royal Father.”

  “On returning to the capital this time, I naturally will report it to Royal Father.”

  “Perhaps the Pill Pavilion will first experiment on widening its use? Regardless, I’ll just leave it for Royal Father to decide.”

  Hearing his words, Zhao Shilie’s eyebrows instantly twitched, as he was almost unable to suppress the flames of fury burning within his heart.

  The Pill Pavilion’s momentum had originally already been rising due to the Smoke Cloud Powder, and now, it seemed like it was going to rise by yet another level.

  With that rate of development, it could be foreseen that it would soon surpass its competitors to become one of the supporting pillars of the Eastern Tang Kingdom.

  But, it would soon no longer have any relation to him…

  Zhao Shilie sighed. He had still unconsciously underestimated Yan Zhaoge after all.

  He was a Martial Grandmaster; even his own son was older than Yan Zhaoge.

  Although in recent days, Yan Zhaoge had performed many feats which had become widely known, allowing others to see his enormous strength as well as potential in the martial dao, never would Zhao Shilie have thought that he would also be able to suppress Zhao Hao in the area of alchemy.

  As old Mr Wang had said, Zhao Hao’s skill in alchemy could already be considered superb within the entire Eight Extremities World.

  While the difference between martial practitioners’ skill in alchemy was also related to the level of their cultivation, the relation in question was still not as strict as with the forging of artifacts.

  To a certain extent, it was a completely different field of study. To be proficient in it, not only talent but also a lot of time and effort was required.

  As Zhao Shilie saw it, for Yan Zhaoge to have achieved such high attainments in the martial dao, he must naturally have focused on it single-mindedly to the utmost degree, in this way using up the bulk of his time and effort.

  Even if his talent in alchemy was unordinary, where would he have the time to concentrate on it?

  If it was only that he had just happened to obtain and understand that ancient secret technique by chance, it would still be acceptable. However, if Yan Zhaoge really had a profound knowledge of all the aspects of alchemy, it would really be terrifying to the extent of being beyond belief.

  Zhao Shilie could be considered a person who had encountered many huge winds and waves in his lifetime, but currently, he could still feel his common sense collapsing completely.

  His expression continuously changed, before finally warping into a bitter smile.

  Zhao Yuan also silently sent over a sound transmission at this time, “I really have to thank you, Zhaoge, this time. Before this, I had never considered that my Sixteenth Brother might be concealing himself so deeply.”

  “Today’s debt; I will definitely repay it generously.”

  “Afterwards, when Royal Father asks about the Golden Needle Liberating Pill technique, I will still require you to be there.”

  Yan Zhaoge replied, “At that time, I will naturally discuss it with Royal Uncle. You can rest easy; under the condition that the number of people in the know are kept to a limited few, the Pill Pavilion can use this technique.”

  “I understand,” Zhao Yuan understood his meaning completely, “You can rest easy; we will definitely not let Broad Creed Mountain lose out.”

  Standing beside Yan Zhaoge, Feng Yunsheng asked, “It was you who helped that Eastern Tang’s Eldest Prince, right?”

  Restraining his facial expression, Yan Zhaoge just said, “Hehe, low-key, low-key.”

  “Good, good, good. Low-key, low-key, you’re the most low-key,” Feng Yunsheng couldn’t help but laugh as she shook her head.

  Then, curious, she asked, “However, such a secret technique; your Broad Creed Mountain won’t be keeping it for yourself? Just giving it to the Eastern Tang Kingdom like that. Although, I’ve heard that your father and the King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom are extremely close friends.”

  Yan Zhaoge glanced at her, “You should be saying ‘Our Broad Creed Mountain’ instead.”

  Actually, Feng Yunsheng had not been officially accepted into the clan. It was only that Yan Zhaoge had agreed to speak for her; in truth, she wasn’t even sure about what Broad Creed Mountain’s attitude towards her actually was.

  However, on hearing his words, Feng Yunsheng beamed as she laughed, “You’re right. It’s my fault; it’s our Broad Creed Mountain.”

  “Mmm, that’s much more pleasing to the ear, ” Yan Zhaoge nodded in satisfaction, before saying, “Relax, I already prepared for the matter of the Golden Needle Liberating Pill technique beforehand with my father; the clan knows as well.”

  “If we want to jostle out the Sacred Sun Clan as well as as the Infinite Boundless Mountain out of the Ea
stern Tang, we will naturally have to pour in some resources.”

  “Today’s incident notwithstanding, this had also been considered and arranged for.”

  “It was because of that that I wanted to swallow Zhao Shilie’s share of the Pill Pavilion.”

  Yan Zhaoge snapped his fingers, “Only that before this, I had never thought that it would go as easily and smoothly as this.”

  Finally giving Zhao Hao a glance, Yan Zhaoge smiled very wickedly, “What a good person; thanks a lot yo.”

  History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 56: The Red Flower Withers

  HSSB56: The Red Flower Withers

  Lin Yushao lay on her back, gazing dazedly at the clear blue sky.

  The blue sky was the same as it always was, with leisurely white clouds floating dreamily about.

  However, her clothes which had been as white as snow were currently covered with dust, their colour having dimmed as they lay scattered on the ground.

  There was a huge wound located between her chest and abdomen, from which no fresh blood was actually flowing. Rather, it was actually jet black all over as it resembled burnt charcoal that had been charred after use.

  The young girl no longer exhibited any signs of life whatsoever.

  As she lay dying, the scene of what had happened just now once again surfaced before her eyes, as that furious voice from before could still faintly be heard resounding within her ears.

  “They said that you heavily injured junior apprentice-brother Lan. Just why did you do that; what happened?”

  “That bastard Yan Zhaoge harmed me time and time again. Lan Wenyan is one of his dogs; in leaving him alive, I was already being merciful!”

  “There should be a misunderstanding somewhere; let’s return to the clan together to explain things clearly to the Elders…”

  “If I returned to the clan now, it would be like walking right into a trap; do you wish for me to die in the hands of that dog Zhao father-and-son combo?”

  “I only…”

  “I’ll ask one last time. Will you leave with me, or will you go to look for Yan Zhaoge?”

  “Ye Jing, calm yourself down a little. I’ve talked with senior apprentice-brother Yan a few times before, and he has no intention of specifically targeting you; there must be a misunderstanding somewhere.”

  “…If you’re not on my side, then you’re someone on Yan Zhaoge’s side. And someone on Yan Zhaoge’s side, is someone who is my enemy!”

  Up till now, the shock and bewilderment within Lin Yushao’s eyes had still yet to completely fade.

  Never would she have thought that her unexpected reunion with Ye Jing after such a long time would actually turn out to have such an ending.

  Lin Yushao’s gaze gradually slackened, as her face was instead filled with an expression of release.

  “Maybe from that moment I left for Broad Creed Mountain along with senior apprentice-brother Yan, all this had already been destined to happen?”

  “This is just my fate…I guess?”

  This day, the red flower that had yet to truly reach full bloom, withered.

  …………

  Outside the Eastern Tang Kingdom’s Overlooking Abyss City, in the wilderness close to the Sealing Dragon Abyss and the Luliao Mountains, there stood an old man, his hands behind his back.

  “Lin Yushao?” The old man turned his head to look at the person behind him, “This old man remembers; it was that female disciple who was entangled with both Yan Zhaoge and Ye Jing, right?”

  The old man was none other than Broad Creed Mountain’s Principal Elder in the Eastern Tang, Yan Xu.

  The martial practitioner behind him nodded his head, “That’s right, and she was also a somewhat promising young disciple. Sadly, when she was discovered, she had already passed away, and there was no longer any way to save her.”

  “Could you tell who did it?”

  “We were unable to concretely determine who the killer was; we were only able to deduce that the person in question must be cultivating in a martial art that holds an extraordinarily strong power of fire.”

  Yan Xu asked, “In coming to the Eastern Tang, was it to search for Yan Zhaoge, or for Ye Jing?”

  That martial practitioner shook his head, saying, “This subordinate was unable to confirm this, but it was most likely for Yan Zhaoge.”

  “From what this subordinate knows, when on the road to the Eastern Tang, Lin Yushao had already learnt of the news of Ye Jing having made it out alive from the Sealing Dragon Abyss.”

  “Moreover, she had followed Yan Zhaoge previously after all; if she knew what was good for her, she would have kept a distance from that Ye Jing.”

  “Before, when it was unknown whether Ye Jing was alive or dead, being concerned about him would still be fine, only being natural. Now that she had known that Ye Jing was still alive, however, in still coming to the Eastern Tang, it should probably be because she had come for Yan Zhaoge all along.”

  Here, the martial practitioner hesitated slightly.

  Yan Xu asked mildly, “What?”

  That martial practitioner answered, “It’s some rumours that have yet to be confirmed. According to these rumours, after Yan Zhaoge arrived in the Eastern Tang, he began walking rather close with another female disciple of our clan, Sikong Qing.”

  “Could it be that Lin Yushao felt that her own position had been threatened? After all, she and Yan Zhaoge were not actually engaged. You know, young people; for their thoughts to change a little is also normal.”

  Hearing his words, Yan Xu fell into a deep silence as he did not speak.

  It was only after quite some time had passed that he answered, “Take this old man to look at that female disciple’s corpse.”

  As he saw the wound on Lin Yushao, Yan Xu pondered deeply for a long time, before suddenly extending his own palm.

  As his aura-qi began to surge, his palm turned purplish red, as though a clump of real, purple flames had agglomerated within.

  This was exactly Broad Creed Mountain’s direct lineage martial art, one of the Eight Extreme Arts, the Tushita Palm.

  His face expressionless, Yan Xu pressed his palm on Lin Yushao’s wound.

  The girl’s corpse shuddered slightly, as the purple glow on the surface of her body vanished in a flash.

  Yan Xu retracted his palm, before turning his head to look at that martial practitioner.

  “Yan Zhaoge has also cultivated in the Tushita Palm…” that martial practitioner’s heart skipped a bit, before he lowered his head, saying, “When this subordinate discovered Lin Yushao, she had already passed away, the identity of her killer a total mystery. However, when considering the fact that she died under our clan’s Tushita Palm, the scope of the investigation can be narrowed greatly. This subordinate will go investigate immediately.”

  Yan Xu nodded mildly, “Carry out a thorough investigation; although this Lin Yushao was but a white-clothed disciple, she was still a member of our clan. How can we let her die while not knowing what happened to her?”

  “Other than that, carefully search around the area where this little girl’s corpse was discovered; perhaps there will be traces of Ye Jing’s whereabouts there.”

  “It’s fine if you don’t find him; but if you do, bring him directly to see me, and do not let word of it spread. If there are any incriminating traces left behind, clean them up on the spot; do not leave clues behind for anyone else.”

  The martial practitioner’s heart stirred slightly as he bowed and replied, “Yes.”

  …………

  Within the Luliao Mountains, Yan Zhaoge’s group was currently in the midst of returning.

  Yan Zhaoge pondered as he walked, on the news that he had obtained from Zhao Yuan, Zhao Hao and the others.

  “They do not merely have a gathering point in the East Heaven Region; they have one in the North Heaven Region as well,” Yan Zhaoge calculated within his heart, “Doesn’t that also mean than other than the Ghost Hatchet Elder Han
Sheng, this power also possesses other Martial Grandmaster experts?”

  “If this power has a Martial Grandmaster like Han Sheng as its leading figure in the North Heaven Region, is it that Han Sheng and the others join hands in leading their respective squads, or is there still someone else even higher up in their organisation than them?”

  Yan Zhaoge made a noise with his mouth, “They have people in the East Heaven Region and the North Heaven Region; what about other places then?”

  “What about outside the Heaven Domain itself?”

  Yan Zhaoge’s eyes narrowed into slits, “The East Heaven Region has the Sealing Dragon Abyss, while the North Heaven Region has the Infinite Shadowy River; both of these extend out from Hell…”

  “The Ghost Hatchet Elder causing trouble in the Sealing Dragon Abyss for his own purposes; if others from this organisation really do make a move, it’s probable that their movements will also be related to Hell…”

  Yan Zhaoge’s instincts told him that this was a little bad.

  In the Eight Extremities World of after the Great Calamity, the first and foremost of the few significant things that could affect the balance of the world itself was the Earth Domain now turned Hell, as well as the invasion of the Fire Devil race.

  It was no wonder that whenever things were related to Hell, everyone’s nerves would also be frazzled.

  “Still, it’s good that they were exposed whilst moving in secret. This way, finding clues and leads on them will also be much easier.” Thinking thus, Yan Zhaoge’s gaze turned to fall on Zhao Hao, walking within the crowd.

  “How should I deal with him? En[1], no matter what, I should also let Uncle Zhao know beforehand.” Yan Zhaoge curled his lips. Regardless of whether it was his father or his second apprentice-uncle, neither would be happy to see a prince hostile to Broad Creed Mountain becoming the Eastern Tang Crown Prince, and by extension its next king as well.

  As he pondered, a black-clothed martial practitioner suddenly drew over to report, “Young Master, urgent news.”

  Yan Zhaoge raised his brows, “What, you’ve found Ye Jing?”

  That martial practitioner shook his head, saying softly, “There’s been news from Overlooking Abyss City. Miss Lin Yushao, has been killed.”