Yang Ding returned after massacring countless beasts in the forest, albeit in an inefficient way. He ran from place to place as he searched for more beasts to hunt. He should have stayed where he was and let the smell of blood do its wonders. But, that thought never crossed his mind. So his grinding spree couldn't be considered much of a success.
"System!"
[User: Yang Ding]
[Race: Human]
[Cultivation Level: 4th stage Ice Profound Realm]
[EXP : 18,878/24,686]
[HP: 120]
[Strength: 83]
[Stamina: 72]
[Agility: 118]
*Sigh*
"There's still so much left. I wanted to explore further and kill new types of monsters for the bonus. But, I can't go much farther away from the Lightning Heaven Clan yet." Yang Ding curled his fingers into a fist, "I still have to get more shop points!"
"This damnable system would otherwise spill milk to all of my hard work and hard-earned experience points."
Yang Ding stepped inside Su Yang's chambers.
Su Yang was sharpening his knife on the Wheatstone.
That's when he noticed Yang Ding's presence.
"Ah, you are back!"
"Yeah."
"I have news to pass onto."
"What?"
"That Wei Xue, that elder was looking for you. He told me to ask you to meet him as soon as you return."
"I see," Yang Ding replied.
"You seem a bit down. Is something the matter?" Su Yang enquired.
"Nothing."
Yang Ding shook his head.
Yang Ding still couldn't get his head around as to how he will get more Shop points. The only method he knew was of charity to the cripples and the rejected members of the society.
"But that method is too damn slow."
"Huh? Did you say something?" Su Yang enquired.
"No, nothing of importance."
"Can you show me the way?" Yang Ding requested.
"Sure come after me."
Su Yang walked past Yang Ding. He followed behind him.
***
"Elder Wei Xue," a disciple running towards him called out to him. "Patriarch has called for you at the Pavilion."
"Huh? Patriarch? What happened?"
"I don't know that much but a bunch of our people was attacked and slaughtered mercilessly!"
"What!"
"That's not good at all."
Wei Xue got up and he swept past the boy to where he was directed.
***
Su Yang came to the Elder's chambers with Yang Ding, but the Elder had already left by then.
Su Yang inquired the boy standing in front of his chambers.
"Have you seen where Great Elder Wei Xue went?"
"Ah, he was just called by the patriarch at the pavilion"
"I see."
Su Yang nodded. Then he turned towards Yang Ding…
"You heard him, now what do you want to do. Go back for now and return later?" Su Yang asked.
"No we will meet him now, why should I wait for his return?"
Su Yang smiled.
"At least there are some parts where we agree."
"Haha, Very funny," Yang Ding rolled his eyes.
"Let's go."
***
More than a score of carcasses laid on the floor. The patriarch had the veins of his forehead popped out.
"Patriarch did you call for… Oh heavens!" Wei Xue gasped, "What have they done to our brothers!"
"I promise you Wei Xue, we will avenge blood with blood. They have to pay for it with their lives! Not anymore, we cannot co-exist under the same heaven!"
"Do you mean?"
"Yes, I will send the declaration. Blood will be shed. Bodies will be laid, but after this only one of the clans will exist on this plane and the other one will cease to exist. Either we avenge our brothers and let their souls find peace, or we die gloriously on the battlefield!"
Su Yang and Yang Ding who had just entered the scene heard the Patriarch's words. To Su Yang, it seemed as if the world has collapsed after him. He couldn't help but object to the Patriarch.
"But Patriarch! With a war, even more of our brothers will lose their lives!"
Wei Xue bellowed and turned towards him. He had anger written on his face.
"Su Yang! A mere outer disciple dares to object the patriarch!"
"But Elder…"
"Shut up! No more arguments about this!"
Su Yang hung his head low. He wasn't able to do anything again. His head swayed as his eyes swept across the carcasses of his brothers. Some had their heads decapitated, some had died through bleeding, some had a missing limb… it was a horrible sight. Some of the sect disciples were still actively working covering the carcasses with white cloths so that their souls shall find piece.
Su Yang's eyes turned moist. With slow but steady steps he walked towards the border that separated the alive from the dead. Just in front of his feet a brother of his laid dead, his eyes popped out. Su Yang got down to his knees. Then joining his hands together he ducked his head, as he prayed for their souls to rest in peace.
Yang Ding watched the whole scene from the sidelines until he was called out by Wei Xue.
"Brother Ding Yang! Thank heavens you are here!"
He ran towards him.
"Many of our brothers are still suffering... fighting between life and death. Please save them!" he cried.
'It's not like I don't understand where you are coming from but I am no doctor,' Yang Ding thought.
Yang Ding shook his head.
"I am sorry, I cannot help you with that."
"Why? We will make whatever payments are needed!"
"It's not about payments. I am simply unable to save your soldiers. My medical arts are solely focused on curing diseases and status ailments. Backlash in cultivation, cultivation blockage, etc. It cannot heal injuries. So even if you ask me to help, I am completely useless."
Yang Ding didn't lie. The Miraculous Physique healing Pill he was using can only cure diseases and not injuries. There was another pill in the store that could do so. To the point that it could even restore lost limbs, but it was too expensive and its price rose as well since the last use. Even if the clan sells all of its resources, it won't be able to pay for all of its soldiers.
"I understand where you are coming from but I am sorry I cannot help you with this."
Yang Ding shrugged.
***
Author: Hello!
Add my story to your library if you like it!
Also, I have added a link to my discord server to the comment section :)