Chapter 51: Vast Difference in Strength
Jia Yi was born into a minor family in Zhongtian Province.
His ancestors had once held the rank of Third-Class Officials, but by the time of the new dynasty, the family had fallen into decline.
From a young age, he displayed extraordinary talent in martial arts and was placed with high expectations by his clan.
He did not disappoint them—by the age of sixteen, he had passed the examination to join the Imperial Guardian Army, becoming a member of the Emperor’s personal guard.
The Imperial Guardian Army was divided into four grades—A, B, C, and D.
Jia Yi held the rank of Grade B, which already made him a first-rate expert in the martial world.
The Demon-Seizing Technique was a supreme martial art bestowed upon him personally by the Emperor.
This technique had already shaken the martial world a century ago.
Relying on this art, Jia Yi was capable of fighting even the lower-ranked Grade A experts.
Ever since mastering the Demon-Seizing Technique, every time he struck, he would suppress his opponent completely.
He had grown fond of watching the terrified expressions of those whose throats he had seized.
Yet today, the Demon-Seizing Technique that had never once failed him was blocked!
And the one who blocked it was not Jiang Zhaoxia—who was hailed as Guzhou’s second strongest martial artist—but rather a timid-looking young man.
Why?
After a brief moment of shock, Jia Yi flew into a rage, humiliation twisting his face as he glared furiously at Zhang Yuchun.
Zhang Yuchun, having been ambushed by Jia Yi, did not become angry.
Instead, he pretended to be confused and asked, “Lord Jia, what is the meaning of this?”
Feng Dai and the constables around him were stunned.
In their eyes, the Imperial Guardian Army consisted only of elite masters, and they could clearly sense Jia Yi’s powerful Inner Energy.
What they did not expect was that the mild and harmless-looking Zhang Yuchun was also an expert.
Jia Yi saw Zhang Yuchun daring to question him—it was an obvious mockery.
Furious, he stepped forward, his movements like a swimming dragon.
His right hand clawed toward Zhang Yuchun’s throat.
Although Zhang Yuchun did not wish to make a mortal enemy of him, he would not just stand still and take the attack.
He immediately retreated, his Wind Sprint Technique making him faster than Jia Yi.
Jia Yi refused to relent, pursuing him fiercely.
The two darted around the courtyard in a chase until Zhang Yuchun was forced against the wall.
With nowhere left to retreat, he raised his palm to strike back.
Their palms clashed—Inner Energy against Vital Energy.
Two waves of force collided, forming visible air barriers that struck against each other.
Jia Yi lasted only two breaths before being blasted backward.
After staggering seven steps, he finally stabilized himself, his face filled with shock as he looked at Zhang Yuchun.
Zhang Yuchun’s aura dissipated suddenly, and he looked visibly exhausted.
His Vital Energy was stronger than Jia Yi’s Inner Energy, but he did not have much of it.
Such an exchange left him drained.
The disciples of the Clear Sky Sect would not stand by and watch their senior brother be attacked.
They immediately surrounded Jia Yi, prompting the constables to draw their blades.
“Zhang Yuchun, do not act recklessly—he is an Imperial Guardian!”
Feng Dai gritted his teeth and looked at Zhang Yuchun, hoping he would restrain the sect disciples.
He had come to mediate the conflict, but ironically, the side he intended to protect had now become the aggressor.
Zhang Yuchun brushed off his robe and said, “Stand down. Do not be disrespectful to an Imperial Guardian.”
“What Imperial Guardian? Since when do government officials draw their blades at the slightest disagreement?”
One disciple protested angrily, and the others glared at Jia Yi like a pack of wolves eyeing a tiger.
Zhang Yuchun had always treated his disciples kindly and never abused his authority.
Because of this, he had an excellent rapport with them, and their desire to protect him came from the heart.
“Who dares cause trouble in the Clear Sky Sect?”
A thunderous voice boomed.
Moments later, Yang Jueding arrived with several disciples.
The commoners watching the commotion quickly stepped aside.
Zhang Yuchun’s skill had already shocked them—who would have thought the mild-looking Zhang Yuchun possessed such martial prowess? The Clear Sky Sect truly lived up to its reputation.
Yang Jueding charged in like an enraged lion, radiating an intense pressure.
Behind him followed Qin Ye, the Seven Sons of Clear Sky, and several other capable disciples, crowding the courtyard.
Xu Ning leapt onto the courtyard wall, her face expressionless as she fixed her gaze on Jia Yi.
Seeing Xu Ning there, Zhang Yuchun became even more nervous than Jia Yi.
He quickly said, “Elder Yang, Lord Jia was just joking with me. Since the Imperial Guardian himself has come, how could we possibly not offer him tea?”
He immediately ordered a disciple to prepare tea, easing the tension somewhat.
At first glance, Jia Yi knew he was no match for Yang Jueding.
Yang’s aura was razor-sharp—he had seen such men among the top Grade A guardians.
Calm down!
Jia Yi took a deep breath and gave a cold snort, ceasing his aggressive stance.
Feng Dai quickly put on a smile and started chatting with Zhang Yuchun to defuse the situation.
After learning of Jia Yi’s identity from his disciples, Yang Jueding could no longer remain angry.
Having roamed the martial world for many years, he understood well that to the imperial court, the so-called martial world was little more than a joke.
Behind many martial sects stood powerful officials and nobles.
Without such backing, they could be crushed by the court at any time—no amount of martial skill could withstand the might of an army.
So, he followed Zhang Yuchun and Feng Dai’s lead and let his killing intent fade.
“All right, enough watching—everyone disperse!”
Feng Dai turned and shouted, glaring at the crowd of onlookers outside the courtyard, who quickly scattered in fear.
Although the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect were still indignant, they obeyed Zhang Yuchun’s command.
Thus, the conflict ended.
Because the encounter had been unpleasant, Jia Yi drank only one cup of tea before leaving the mountain.
Zhang Yuchun, unable to insist he stay, personally escorted him down the path.
Watching Jia Yi and his men depart, Zhang Yuchun’s eyes flickered.
He had a strong feeling that Jia Yi would seek revenge against the Clear Sky Sect, but there was nothing he could do.
The name of the Imperial Guardian Army carried great weight—killing or imprisoning Jia Yi would only bring endless disaster.
“If Third and Sixth Junior Brothers were here, that fellow wouldn’t have walked off the mountain alive.”
The thought made Zhang Yuchun chuckle.
The Clear Sky Sect was no longer what it used to be.
His juniors and juniors’ disciples had all become powerful.
Even if matters truly spiraled beyond control, they could simply abandon the sect and start anew elsewhere.
In Zhang Yuchun’s heart, wherever his brothers and sisters were—that was where the Clear Sky Sect existed.
……
In the mountain forest, far from the Clear Sky Sect, Jia Yi’s expression turned extremely dark.
Feng Dai and the constables followed behind him cautiously, not daring to speak lest they provoke his wrath.
“It seems this matter will not end easily…”
Feng Dai’s eyes flickered with unease as he sighed inwardly.
He placed one hand on his sword hilt and gestured subtly with the other.
The constables’ expressions shifted as they realized his intent.
None of them showed fear.
Instead, their eyes grew firm and resolute.
“This isn’t over! Within a year—no, half a year—I’ll see the Clear Sky Sect reduced to ashes!”
Jia Yi growled through gritted teeth, his voice low and feral.
Suddenly—
The sound of a blade being drawn echoed.
Jia Yi instinctively turned around, only to be struck in the chest by Feng Dai’s slash.
Blood splattered everywhere.
Jia Yi’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He had never imagined that Feng Dai would dare to strike him.
Though shocked and enraged, he still reacted swiftly, unleashing a palm strike—the Demon-Seizing Technique.
The surging Inner Energy blasted Feng Dai off his feet, sending the constables tumbling to both sides of the mountain path.
Feng Dai crashed heavily to the ground, vomiting a mouthful of blood.
His vision swam, and his organs churned violently within his body.
“So… the gap is this vast…”
Despair filled Feng Dai’s heart.
He had attacked only because he had witnessed Zhang Yuchun fight Jia Yi earlier and assumed Jia Yi was weaker than expected—especially since Zhang Yuchun had already exhausted some of his energy.
Reality proved that a man skilled only in external techniques could never rival an internal master.
Jia Yi panted heavily.
That furious counterattack had consumed most of his Inner Energy, and his eyes had turned red.
The wound Feng Dai inflicted filled him with unbearable humiliation.
This was an insult—an insult to him, and to the Imperial Guardian Army!
“You worthless worms! I’ll kill every last one of you!”
Jia Yi growled, his voice hoarse and hateful, blood dripping from his chest as he strode toward Feng Dai, making him look all the more terrifying.
But after only three steps, he froze.
Someone was descending from the mountain.
The newcomer’s robe was different from those of the Clear Sky Sect, yet bore certain similarities.
It was Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu descended leisurely, his gaze fixed upon Jia Yi.
The Tianhong Sword hung at his waist, a presence Jia Yi could not ignore.
“Who are you?”
Jia Yi barked, drawing his long blade.
The glint of the steel reflected off the trees—and onto Feng Dai’s pale face—bringing him back to consciousness.
Feng Dai turned his head weakly and saw the approaching figure.
“Sect Master Li…”
He lowered his head in shame, wishing the earth would swallow him whole.
If Jia Yi was this strong, he could not even imagine how powerful Wu Baoyu must be.
In the past, it was not that he had spared Wu Baoyu—it was Wu Baoyu and the Clear Sky Sect who had spared him.
“Sect Master? You’re the master of the Clear Sky Sect? These men attacked the Imperial Guardians—I have the right to execute them. Do you have any objections?” Jia Yi said coldly, though inwardly his heart sank.
Generally speaking, in any martial sect, the strongest person was the sect master.
Even if not, the sect master would never be weak—otherwise, how could he command respect?
Hot-blooded martial artists could not be governed by words alone!
Li Qingqiu’s expression remained calm as he said, “I have no objections—but I wish to kill you. Do you have any objections?”
Jia Yi’s face changed drastically.
He had not expected such arrogance.
In desperation, he seized Feng Dai and held him in front of himself, pressing the blade to his throat.
“Then try it—let’s see who’s faster, you or my blade!”
Jia Yi looked like a cornered tiger, radiating murderous fury.
Whoosh!
A sharp sound split the air.
Jia Yi’s pupils dilated, and within them appeared an iron needle—striking between his brows faster than he could react.
His body froze.
The long blade slipped from his grasp and clattered onto the ground.
Feng Dai stared blankly at Li Qingqiu, who still held the throwing pose.
He had not seen how Li Qingqiu moved, nor how he attacked.
When he turned his gaze back, he saw a needle embedded in Jia Yi’s forehead—and quickly leapt away in fright.
The other wounded constables also stared wide-eyed, terror filling their faces.
Jia Yi was not dead.
He stood trembling in place, as if frozen by some mystical technique—making the scene all the more terrifying.
What kind of martial art was this?
A pressure-point technique from afar?
Li Qingqiu continued walking down the path until he stood before Jia Yi.
Feng Dai clutched his chest beside him, wanting to speak but not daring to.