Zhao Ya led some people to Cyan Bamboo Ridge to gather resources.
He didn't hesitate to take the gold notes and some items useful for cultivation.
As for other supplies, such as food, wine, meat, and medicine, he had them carried down the mountain.
After getting the food, people started cooking on the spot. Although the taste might not have been great, at least they had wine and meat, so they ate happily.
After a full meal and a pleasant rest for more than an hour, the people finally regained some strength.
At this time, Zhao Ya also found the antitoxic powder that the Refining World Sect had hidden to control the miner slaves, and he distributed it to Hong Xu and the others who were poisoned.
For this, these people were naturally moved to tears.
Hong Xu never expected Zhao Ya to give out the antidote so straightforwardly.
He thought Zhao Ya might use this means to control everyone.
But Zhao Ya did not do so, which astonished and made him fearful.
After working for an hour, Cyan Bamboo Ridge was thoroughly ransacked.
Then Zhao Ya had these things loaded onto carts, ready to be transported back to Wuxiang City.
As for this hideout.
Since it was midwinter, the grass and trees were withered, and there had been no snow this winter, if a fire were set, it would easily spread into an unstoppable wildfire.
So, Zhao Ya decided to tear down all the buildings on the mountain to prevent any bandits from occupying the place again.
Crack!
With a single kick, a giant wooden post as thick as a man's embrace snapped, causing the Central Courtyard Stronghold to slowly tilt and collapse.
Bam!
Amidst the loud noise, dust rose everywhere.
Zhao Ya continued to move to the next building, repeating the process.
Hong Xu and the other folks watched from afar, their faces full of shock as smoke and dust rose continuously from the mountain.
Some even knelt on the ground, bowing as if he were a deity.
To them, the power Zhao Ya displayed had exceeded their imaginations, describable only as Divine Power.
Within just a quarter of an hour, Zhao Ya had demolished all the mountain's buildings, then effortlessly returned to the crowd and said calmly, "Let's go back to Wuxiang City."
The young and strong drove the carts, while the elderly, weak, or injured were assisted by designated helpers.
People stumbled through the forest, heading in the direction of Wuxiang City.
The journey back was very peaceful, and they didn't even encounter a single beast.
This was because these beasts were not foolish.
With the full aura of Zhao Ya leading the way, unless they were insane, how would they dare to come forward and seek death?
At Zhao Ya's present pace, it would take only a little more than a quarter of an hour to return to Wuxiang City, but burdened by so many wounded, he could only proceed patiently and slowly.
Finally.
After walking for over three hours—starting in the morning until the sun began to set—they finally arrived near Wuxiang City.
Upon seeing the familiar city walls, many people collapsed to the ground, crying tears of joy.
Most believed they would never return in this lifetime.
When they entered the city, the once-silent Wuxiang City buzzed with life again.
Although the number of survivors in the city was small, they weren't nonexistent.
So when these people saw their long-absent family members, their excitement was imaginable.
But this was only a small portion of the lucky ones.
Most people quietly returned to their desolate and collapsed homes, burying their faces in their hands and weeping in the empty courtyards.
Nonetheless, with the return of these thousands, Wuxiang City finally showed a hint of vitality.
Zhao Ya returned to the Hong Family first and met with his senior sister Meng Shiwen and Zui'Er.
By now, the two already knew about the events outside and couldn't help but admire Zhao Ya greatly.
Especially Meng Shiwen.
She never imagined Zhao Ya would not only eradicate Cyan Bamboo Ridge but also successfully bring back the abducted villagers.
And the most incredible part—he did it all alone.
To this point, Meng Shiwen felt nothing but admiration and respect for Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya patted the large bundle he carried, smiling slightly, "Let's go. It's time to pay respect to Master."
No need to ask—the bundle undoubtedly contained the heads of their enemies.
Meng Shiwen solemnly nodded.
Once out of the city, Zhao Ya followed a familiar path and soon arrived at the place where Meng Lei had fallen.
To prevent losing his way, Zhao Ya had left many marks.
So he found Meng Lei's grave smoothly.
Looking at the small mound of stones piled up as a grave,
Meng Shiwen's expression was extremely complex.
Her impression of Meng Lei was already quite vague.
She only vaguely remembered a tall and powerful man.
Due to various reasons, she came to resent him and eventually cut off contact.
Unexpectedly, when she saw him again, he was already gone.
At this moment, Zhao Ya squatted down, opened the bundle, revealing two heads—one belonged to Fu Tingyuan, the Great Village Chief of Cyan Bamboo Ridge, and the other was Hong Shouchang.
It turns out that although Hong Shouchang died in the mine pit, Zhao Ya never had any intention of letting him go.
Because Zhao Ya never believed such a person would truly repent or change his ways.
Hong Shouchang might have regretted it before he died, but only because he suffered a calamity and was trapped by Cyan Bamboo Ridge.
Moreover, Meng Lei's death was most likely attributable to Hong Shouchang.
So, when the miner slaves were eating, Zhao Ya entered the mine to cut off Hong Shouchang's head and brought it back.
Although he wasn't the one who killed Hong Shouchang, the tortures Hong Shouchang suffered before his death should count as some solace for Meng Lei.
After arranging the heads properly, Zhao Ya lit incense and candles, then knelt on the ground, bowing respectfully.
"Master, the enemies who caused your death are now dead. You may rest in peace!"
His voice was calm, without sadness.
The departed had passed, and their enemies were also dead. Zhao Ya felt relaxed, without much sorrow.
Though he was not sad, Meng Shiwen beside him suddenly became overwhelmed with grief, collapsed to the ground, and cried as if tears were pearls of a broken necklace, trickling endlessly, choking on her words.
"Father!"
After uttering these two words, Meng Shiwen could no longer speak and could only cover her face and weep bitterly.
Zui'Er was already crying uncontrollably.
This little girl was highly empathetic, especially after losing her mother at a young age and not knowing her father's whereabouts, so when she heard Meng Shiwen call out for her father, Zui'Er couldn't help but be stricken with grief, crying like rain on a pear blossom.
Zhao Ya did not console them; instead, he felt somewhat gratified.
No matter what.
The daughter whom Master Meng Lei had been thinking about until his last moment finally arrived before his grave.
Zhao Ya believed.
More than seeing the heads of his enemies, Meng Lei's spirit would have wanted to see this.
After crying for a long while, Meng Shiwen finally stood up, wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, and then solemnly said to Zhao Ya.
"Junior Brother, thank you!"
Zhao Ya smiled.
"Alright, Senior Sister, do we really need to be so formal? Moreover, he was my master. Without him, I might still be just an ordinary boy, or even long dead by now. So, even just to repay kindness, I must do this."
"I want to take his remains back to the Commandery for burial. Is that alright?" Meng Shiwen asked softly, not dwelling on these matters anymore.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Ya shook his head and refused.
"No need for that. I know you want to diligently pay respects after going back, but have you ever thought about it? Master lived in Wuxiang City most of his life, dedicating himself completely here. Would he be willing to return to the Commandery?"
Meng Shiwen was silent.
"All right, as long as your intentions are there. I believe Master must feel gratified too, gratified by your willingness to forgive him," Zhao Ya consoled.
Meng Shiwen no longer insisted.
After paying their respects, Zhao Ya and his party returned to Wuxiang City.
As soon as they returned to the Inner City, they saw Hong Xu and Yang Sansi, whom he had forcibly brought over.
Zhao Ya was not at all surprised by their appearance.
"Master Zhao, please give us a chance to live!" Hong Xu was forthright. The first thing he said when they met was a plea for mercy.
Beside him, Yang Sansi was already trembling uncontrollably, his face ashen.