"You people from the Tai Gu Alliance really have no sense of propriety. I thought Xue Jianfeng was shameless enough, but you lot are even worse—snatching people in broad daylight. Don't you know that's illegal? That's a five-minute firing squad offense, you know?" Wei Zhao said, fixing the two with an unfriendly look.

"Five-minute firing squad?" The leader stared at him, dumbfounded, then took a closer look at Wei Zhao and the man beside him. He certainly did not recognize Wei Zhao, but he did recognize Fei Yangsheng trailing behind him. "Aren't you from the Snow Sword Sect? Is this one from the Snow Sword Sect too? How come I've never seen him before?"

To take down two mid-Foundation Establishment experts in a single casual move—that kind of strength had to be at least late Foundation Establishment. Even within the Snow Sword Sect, that would earn one a core disciple's spot. The Tai Gu underworld was only so big, and core disciples of the major sects practically ran into each other everywhere. Under normal circumstances, he should have seen this man at least a few times.

Wei Zhao did not even glance at him; he walked straight toward Mother Tang in the crowd. Her injuries were not actually serious—the fall had simply hurt a good deal. She was moaning "aiyo, aiyo" when she spotted Wei Zhao, and shot up as though launched from a spring, overjoyed. "Xiao Yi? Xiao Yi, what are you doing back? When did you get back?"

"Auntie, I just got back. I'm sorry—I didn't take good care of you, and you've suffered for it," Wei Zhao said with a guilty look. Mother Tang might have been a snobbish, calculating sort, but she had always treated him well, always finding some way to set aside the best of whatever she came by for him.

Now Tang Yun lay unconscious because of him; by any measure, he owed it to her to look after Mother Tang and the others properly. Snow Valley had been a carefree haven from the world, and he had never imagined something like this could happen here. The Tai Gu Alliance's image in Wei Zhao's eyes had sunk to absolute zero.

"It's fine, it's fine—so long as you're back. How is Yun'er doing now?" Mother Tang asked urgently.

"Still the same for the time being. But I'm sure I'll find a way to cure her." Wei Zhao's expression darkened briefly, then he went on, "Auntie, sit down first. I'll heal your injuries."

"What? No, no, I'm fine. A little bruise liniment and a few days' rest will do it. Xiao Yi, you should be thinking about how to deal with these people." Though her face still throbbed with pain, with the enemy at the gates she knew well enough what mattered most—Wei Zhao was the only hope for everyone in Snow Valley, and she did not want to distract him.

"Don't worry, Auntie. It'll be quick. Besides, I don't pay much mind to stray curs who don't know their manners." As he spoke, Wei Zhao began healing her. The people of Snow Valley, hearing this, felt a flicker of hope, though most still suspected he was putting on airs. In their eyes, Wei Zhao was admittedly formidable—but these were Heaven Dao experts, and could Wei Zhao really be stronger than a Heaven Dao expert?

Across the way, the two men of the Tai Gu Alliance were furious at his words. The leader signaled to the big bearded man to go check on the two mid-Foundation Establishment disciples who had been sent flying, and what he found shocked him. Both were gravely wounded, clinging to their last breath.

To leave two mid-Foundation Establishment disciples on the verge of death with a single move was far harder than simply killing them outright. That meant the other side had deliberately held back the lethality—such strength was truly appalling.

"I am Yu Zhengliang, the senior disciple leading the Qiankun Sect's delegation. Just what sect and school are you from? State your name!" the leader shouted in a deep voice.

Wei Zhao still did not so much as look at him, continuing to heal Mother Tang. Seeing this, Fei Yangsheng could only grit his teeth and step forward. "The disciples here are suited to cultivating our Snow Sword Sect's techniques, yet your Qiankun Sect has barged in ahead of us to seize them by force. Isn't that a bit against the rules?"

"Hmph, there are those here suited to the Qiankun Sect's aptitude as well. You're nothing but an ordinary disciple of the Snow Sword Sect—how dare you stand there and say this to my face? You think you're Xue Jianfeng? Daring to come and fight me for recruits?" Yu Zhengliang sneered.

Fei Yangsheng was instantly struck dumb, and shot a furtive glance at Wei Zhao. In his heart he thought: this one is far more ruthless than Xue Jianfeng. Xue Jianfeng, the number one of the Tai Gu Alliance's younger generation, had been beaten half to death by him—his very dantian crushed to bursting. Before a top-tier savage like this, how much better could Yu Zhengliang of the Qiankun Sect possibly fare than Xue Jianfeng?

But such thoughts could only be grumbled inwardly; he did not dare say them aloud. Seeing that Wei Zhao remained unmoved, still healing Mother Tang, Fei Yangsheng could only keep gritting his teeth. "You misunderstand. The Snow Sword Sect has no intention of seizing anyone. Whether they join our sect is entirely up to them—we would never force them."

Those words rang a little hollow, for Xue Jianfeng had in fact conducted himself much like this Yu Zhengliang, only with somewhat gentler methods. Yet what Fei Yangsheng said now was the absolute truth: with even Xue Jianfeng, who had led disciples out for training, reduced to a cripple, the Snow Sword Sect would not dare resort to force if it wanted to recruit again.

"The Snow Sword Sect has always been hypocritical in its dealings, but everyone knows well enough what goes on behind closed doors. You needn't play the good man before me, and never mind that Xue Jianfeng himself hasn't come—even if he had, I, Yu Zhengliang, would still be taking every one of Snow Valley's disciples here today!" As he spoke, Yu Zhengliang abruptly unleashed his full, formidable aura—another expert at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

The faces of everyone in Snow Valley changed at once. Before, only those two mid-Foundation Establishment experts had made a move; now this Yu Zhengliang looked many times stronger still. Was there no end to this torment—could Wei Zhao possibly hold out?

At the sight, Fei Yangsheng quietly backed away two steps. He could still manage some fine-sounding talk to stall for time, but to actually cross blows with the likes of Yu Zhengliang—not for all the world. With his meager strength, he could not last even a single move.

"The Qiankun Sect's business—those who interfere die!" Yu Zhengliang flung out this vicious threat, and at the same time signaled to the big bearded man beside him. The bearded man lunged straight at the Snow Valley crowd, his aura only half a notch weaker than Yu Zhengliang's own—he was, astonishingly, an expert at the very peak of late Foundation Establishment!

The people of Snow Valley were horrified, but they quickly realized their alarm was misplaced. The man was not coming for them—from first to last, the big bearded man had only one target: Wei Zhao.

"Xiao Yi! Xiao Yi!" Mother Tang's heart nearly leapt from her chest at the sight, but Wei Zhao did not even raise his head. He remained utterly unmoved even as the big bearded man charged right up behind him. (To be continued.)