Chapter 27: Deceived

The old chieftain’s dim eyes suddenly grew sharp. He stared fixedly at Li Xuan and asked, "You hired Hei Zi to help you hunt the King of the Golden-Feathered Eagles?"

The old chieftain found it hard to believe that someone so earth-shatteringly powerful had appeared within the Qingye Tribe.

"Yes. It is a long story, and I shall explain it to you in detail when the opportunity arises," Li Xuan replied. Although he was not a member of the Qingye Tribe, he knew this was not the time to dwell on the hunt, as their men had perished precisely because of that beast.

"Fellow villagers, take your men home first. Let Yuezhi distribute these Source Crystals among you all."

The old chieftain was overcome with grief. Since the tragedy had occurred, he had to consider the aftermath. After all, had they not entered the Fog-Shadow Mountains to hunt savage beasts precisely to secure Source Crystals and provide for their families?

Yuezhi’s eyes clouded over, brimming with tears as she began to distribute the crystals to the families of the fallen.

"Brother Li Xuan, may I have a word with you in private?"

The old chieftain invited Li Xuan into a shack and said, "Old Hei is not a reckless man. Even if he were given ten thousand lives, he would not dare challenge the King of the Golden-Feathered Eagles. What method did you use to make him willing to hunt it with you?"

Li Xuan found this hard to answer. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Timing—it was simply a matter of timing. Harassed by a large group, the King of the Golden-Feathered Eagles was already severely wounded. Old Hei and I merely took advantage of the situation."

The old chieftain shook his head decisively. "No. You are only at the early stage of the Martial Breaking Realm; you cannot even beat Hei Zi, yet you dared to covet the King of the Golden-Feathered Eagles. You must have used some means."

Hearing this, Li Xuan’s gaze sharpened. "Does the old chieftain doubt me?"

The old chieftain waved his hand. "Indeed. Without other means, you could never have hunted a King-level savage beast. Such a creature must have..." He stared piercingly at Li Xuan. "Do you ever feel as if something is watching you from behind?"

The old chieftain’s wrinkled face grew grave, his gaze intensifying.

"Since you are so certain I used extraordinary means, may I ask what those means were?" Li Xuan asked. He immediately associated the question with his use of Source Rune Arrays, but he did not wish to admit it.

"Source Rune Arrays."

The old chieftain spoke the words slowly, his expression deepening. "Little Brother Li Xuan, I advise you: it is better to use Source Rune Arrays as sparingly as possible."

Confused, Li Xuan pressed, "Dare I ask if you know of these arrays? Why should they be used sparingly?"

The old chieftain remained silent for a long time before saying, "It is an ancient legend."

It is said that the Source Arts were created by an ancient saint. Those who mastered them could steal the secrets of Yin and Yang, trace dragon veins, seize the fortunes of heaven and earth, and temper their own bodies. That saint used these arts to attain enlightenment, traveling to major tombs to seek out opportunities, but in doing so, he became tainted by a baleful omen and eventually wandered off into madness, disappearing without a trace.

Some rumors claim the saint ascended to become an ancient emperor, but more believe he became a "Tomb Guardian," eternally watching over the graves he once plundered. His descendants, however, remained obsessed, delving deep into the Source Arts and eventually evolving into the lineage of the "Source Heaven Masters." Due to their insatiable greed, they were ultimately struck by divine retribution, and to this day, none have emerged.

Because they repeatedly used the Source Arts, they began to feel as though a pair of mysterious eyes were constantly watching them. Over time, this led to insanity and madness. None of the Source Heaven Master lineage were spared.

"I understand now," the old chieftain said. "That is why you were able to enter the Qingye Tribe without a sound. You practice the Source Arts; our tribe’s Source Rune barrier had no effect on you."

Li Xuan was puzzled. He smiled and asked, "Old Chieftain, if that is the case, where did the Qingye Tribe’s Source Rune barrier come from?"

After a long silence, the old chieftain replied, "In the primeval era, there appeared a clan with the surname Zhang. They were the masters of these arts; some even reached the level of quasi-saints. To attain the fruit of sainthood, they sent their clansmen to contact various noble families, setting up Source Rune barriers to protect them. Most of the barriers you see today are remnants from that time."

Li Xuan finally understood the origin of the Source Rune Arrays. "Did the Zhang clan eventually achieve sainthood?"

"Alas, man proposes, but Heaven disposes. Not only did they fail to achieve sainthood, but the entire clan was struck by divine retribution. They went into hiding and have not been heard from since."

Divine retribution—a force no one could resist, one that could only be endured in agony.

Li Xuan was curious. "What do those mysterious eyes signify?"

The old chieftain shook his snow-white head. "I do not know. Some say it is the Heavenly Dao, others say it is an ancient deity, and there are even rumors it is a being akin to an Immortal Emperor... the theories are endless."

Li Xuan nodded. "Thank you for the information, Old Chieftain. I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave."

"Wait!" The old chieftain reached out with a withered arm. "I wish to show you something else."

Li Xuan turned back. "What is it?"

The old chieftain did not speak, gesturing for Li Xuan to follow. He opened the door to a cellar and led him down stone steps. "This is where the Life Stones of our Qingye Tribe are kept. Look—that stone shining with purple light belongs to Hei Zi."

Li Xuan looked up. The purple stone was wreathed in mist, glowing brilliantly, while the others were dull and lusterless, signifying that those individuals had perished.

"The dim stones represent those who have passed away, correct?" Li Xuan realized.

"Brother Li Xuan, you are very clever. Every Life Stone represents a path. Hei Zi’s stone is purple, which means he is destined to lead our Qingye Tribe down a different road—and you are his guide."

The old chieftain spoke with grand ambition, as if he could already see his people walking a path of prosperity. Old Hei had previously told Li Xuan that he wanted to lead his people toward a new path.

Li Xuan was bewildered. "What kind of path?"

The old chieftain was at the peak of excitement. He slammed his staff into the ground and said, "A path of cultivation. Hei Zi’s stone dictates his destiny; he is not meant to be ordinary, and you are the one to lead him!"

The old chieftain carefully removed Hei Zi’s Life Stone and placed it into Li Xuan’s hands. "I entrust the lives of Hei Zi and the entire tribe to you. You must fulfill your historical mission!"

Li Xuan was stunned. *I just helped your people find peace in death, and now you’re handing me the lives of your whole tribe? Isn’t this just shirking your responsibility?*

Awkward and reluctant, Li Xuan tried to decline. "How could I possibly be worthy? Let us wait until Old Hei returns before making any decisions!"

The old chieftain knelt on one knee and said piously, "Everything is fated. Brother Li Xuan, why refuse? If you do not agree, I shall kneel here until I die!"

Li Xuan cursed inwardly, *Damn it, what is this? I don’t want to be burdened with a whole tribe, especially one full of women and children—I’ll be worked to death!*

Li Xuan wore a troubled expression; he could not possibly accept this. Yet the old chieftain remained kneeling, his withered hands piously cradling the stone.

An hour later, the old chieftain was drenched in sweat, his already frail body turning deathly pale. Li Xuan tried to help him up, but the old man would not budge.

"Brother Li Xuan, please, agree. You saved Old Hei’s life; could you not show mercy and save the entire Qingye Tribe as well?"

At that moment, a burly figure dragged a wounded leg toward them. He knelt down with a thud, his face full of devotion. "Brother Li Xuan, I never thought I would see you again!"

Old Hei’s sudden appearance caught Li Xuan off guard. He tried to pull him up, but Old Hei remained rooted to the spot like a boulder.

"Your life-saving grace cannot be repaid. Old Hei is willing to lead the entire tribe to serve you as your loyal hounds!"

Old Hei spoke with righteous fervor; he was clearly determined to follow Li Xuan. With the young men of the tribe dead and the children too small, their only hope for survival was to follow Li Xuan without hesitation.

Li Xuan groaned internally, *Damn it, I’ve stepped into something—something big!*

Pouring out his Source Power, he forcibly hauled both Old Hei and the old chieftain to their feet. "Fine! If you do not mind me, then I shall reluctantly agree!"

Since the words were out, he could not go back on them. To ensure the survival of the tribe's elderly, weak, and young, he emptied the Source Crystals from his storage bag. "Distribute these among everyone; consider it a gift for our first meeting."

The old chieftain was delighted, and Old Hei was overjoyed.

Old Hei followed Li Xuan as he prepared to leave the tribe. Along the way, Li Xuan pondered, feeling that something was amiss. "Old Hei, did you trick me? From the moment I saved you, have you been manipulating my pity?"

Old Hei laughed foolishly. "How could that be? You are the master strategist; I only learned from you!"

Seeing the look in Li Xuan’s eyes, Old Hei scampered off.

Li Xuan sent a message to his second sister, Li Chenxi, to arrange matters for Old Hei. Reflecting on what the old chieftain, Yue Wu, had said, he realized the Source Rune Arrays indeed held a great conspiracy. Unless he was at the brink of life and death, he must never use them recklessly.

However, there was an urgent matter at hand that required a Source Rune Array. He hoped it would not lead to too much trouble.

Li Xuan hurried back to the Saint Dao Academy, tidied up, and headed to Xishui Garden. He had reserved a private room to host Jiang Qingyue, his second sister Li Chenxi, and Elder Xiyue. He had originally intended to invite Elder Xingxiu as well, but the old man was in seclusion, so he had to let that go.