Chapter 30: Victory and Defeat

"I possess the strength of an eighth-rank martial artist..." Yu Houwen, seeing Yang Tian's cold indifference and realizing he wasn't joking, immediately pleaded for his life.

Yang Tian looked at him as if he were a fool. "That was in the past. Now you're crippled. If you could break your seal, you wouldn't be sitting here waiting to die, nor would you be plotting against me."

The strength of an eighth-rank martial artist was indeed formidable; such a person could serve as a general in the Qin Empire. However, before Yu Houwen was imprisoned, his cultivation had already been sealed. Unless the imperial court issued a decree to release him, only those above ninth-rank could forcibly break such a seal.

Ninth-rank martial artists remained mortals in flesh and blood, their maximum lifespan no more than a hundred and twenty years. Beyond the ninth rank lay the Transcendent Realm, where one could break the shackles of mortality and live for two centuries.

Transcendents!

Even the late Marquis Champion had only reached the ninth rank in martial arts. Throughout the entire Qin Empire, those who had clearly entered the Transcendent Realm could be counted on one hand—there were only five such individuals.

If Yang Tian truly had the help of a Transcendent, he wouldn't be in his current predicament.

Thus, Yu Houwen's eighth-rank strength was now worthless.

"My strength may be gone, but my experience remains. I could instruct your men, even train your soldiers," Yu Houwen offered desperately.

"Not enough."

It was the truth. The benefit was limited. Yu Houwen's guidance might help avoid some detours, but Yang Tian had no need for it. The Yang family's guards had already been well instructed; what they lacked was not experience.

"Surely you realized there was a chance I'd kill you?" Yang Tian remarked, suggesting that Yu Houwen should stop struggling.

Of course, Yang Tian suspected Yu Houwen had contingency plans. The Yu family was no insignificant household. Regardless of whether Yu Houwen's claim about Qin Qiong being the real culprit was true, the Yu family would have anticipated such outcomes and would not have been entirely unprepared.

Yang Tian needed to gather more strength.

So, if Yu Houwen couldn't offer sufficient value, there was no need to keep him around. Better to eliminate a man who might plot against him in the future—a move with no downside.

"Yang Tian, you truly are nothing like the late Marquis Champion," Yu Houwen sighed, his expression complex.

"The Yu family has a cache of resources. I know where they're hidden. But I fear that even if I tell you, you'll kill me anyway."

He hadn't known Yang Tian before; earlier, he might have trusted the reputation of the Yang family. But having met Yang Tian, Yu Houwen felt uncertain, unable to judge what Yang Tian would do. If Yang Tian had held the title of Marquis Champion, the household's fate might not have been so tragic.

"You're overthinking it," Yang Tian sneered.

"Tell me. Consider it the price for your life. You'll have a chance to live—and perhaps one day take revenge. Refuse, and you'll die immediately."

"Make your choice. You can choose to take that cache with you to the underworld."

Yu Houwen had chosen to scheme rather than offer the information upfront, trading it for his life. This shift in attitude made Yang Tian wary. The Yu family's hidden resources must be substantial, and Yang Tian needed them, but he would not make promises.

"Forget it—I'll give it to you," Yu Houwen said after a long silence, finally deciding to disclose the location.

Though he had considered death as a means to accelerate the escalation of events, now that the moment had come, Yu Houwen was not resigned. If he could live, he did not want to die. Besides, Yang Tian had spoken true: he should fight for his chance. Opportunity favors those who seize it.

And if giving Yang Tian these resources made him stronger, so be it. Yang Tian was bound to seek vengeance anyway.

Yang Tian was shrewd.

But seeing through the truth did not guarantee safety; Yang Tian surely understood that. Just as he himself had tried to manipulate Yang Tian, whether Yang Tian saw him or released him, all was within the realm of calculation. Even knowing this changed nothing.

Having made his decision, Yu Houwen gave the location without hesitation.

"Ah, I'm still young, aren't I? I wonder if, by telling you the location of the resources, I'm playing right into your hand..." Yang Tian sighed softly, murmuring to himself.

Yu Houwen only smiled and said nothing.

Unable to read Yu Houwen's expression, Yang Tian was no longer certain; was Yu Houwen truly a cunning old fox, orchestrating every move, or was Yang Tian simply overthinking?

"Stay in the cell for now, or escape if you can."

Yang Tian decided not to kill Yu Houwen for the moment, nor to release him—he would keep him locked up for the time being. Tonight had exhausted his mind; it was time to rest.

He didn't particularly enjoy intrigue, nor did he consider himself especially clever, but with his backing gone and his strength insufficient, he had no choice but to tread carefully and think things through.

A chess piece, even knowing it is on the board, can only be manipulated by the player if it lacks strength.

Yu Houwen did not argue but seemed calm, returning quietly to his cell.

Yang Tian was done analyzing.

So be it; let the schemes play out.

…

Night had fallen.

The moon drifted in and out from behind the clouds, often shrouded in darkness.

Returning to the rear courtyard, Yang Tian found Wang Fu still awake, waiting for him.

"Uncle Fu, go to bed. There's no need to wait up for me in the future," Yang Tian said.

"Young master, are you all right? Did Yu Houwen say something?" Wang Fu asked with concern, sensing the heaviness in Yang Tian's demeanor.

His heart ached.

The burdens the young master carried were too heavy; life should not be this way.

Since the tragedy at the Marquis's residence and Yang Tian's awakening from his coma, he had always appeared strong, never revealing his feelings. This, however, only meant he buried everything deep inside, unable to release his emotions—a dangerous thing.

Tonight, Wang Fu felt it keenly.

It made him all the more worried.

"I'm fine," Yang Tian replied, mentioning nothing of Yu Houwen.

The matter of Princess Qin Qiong, and the Yu family's hidden resources, were not worth discussing for now.

The real culprit was still far from reach; remembering was enough—there was no point in talking about it.

As for those resources, who knew if they even still existed? Besides, they were far from Desolation City, and he had neither the time nor manpower to retrieve them. Though resources were scarce, this was not the moment to seek them out.

"Uncle Fu, once the academy is built, I'll need you to pay special attention to the children's education. It's crucial. Also, help me pick out the most promising ones, especially those suited for the path of scholarship. There are some things I wish to verify—don't mention this to anyone else," Yang Tian instructed.

"Understood, young master. You can count on me," Wang Fu replied solemnly.

Yang Tian nodded, then entered his room. "I'll rest now."

Watching Yang Tian's retreating figure, Wang Fu knew the young master was troubled. Since he didn't wish to speak of it, Wang Fu asked no more. Carrying out the young master's wishes would be the best way to show his care.

Back in his room, Yang Tian washed and lay down on his bed.

He closed his eyes.

He thought of nothing.

Sleep claimed him quickly.

…

The next morning, he awoke refreshed.

Yang Tian did not go out, but stayed in his room, writing and sketching. He had many ideas that needed to be recorded, sorted, and organized, lest they be forgotten.

Knock, knock, knock—

There was a knock at the door; by habit, he recognized it as Wang Fu.

In the rear courtyard, only Wang Fu and a few trusted guards would knock to report matters. Even if officials had business, they would be announced by these men.

"Come in."

Wang Fu entered, closed the door behind him, and approached the desk.

"Young master, Yang He has returned from the border with news—the matter from before has been resolved."

"Oh? And what was the outcome?" Yang Tian asked, curiosity piqued.