The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter
Chapter 248: The Start of Chaos
A sliver of dawn broke across the horizon.
Inside the temple, only a pile of mangled flesh remained, with not even a bone to be found.
Liang E and the others still remembered Sanka’s screams, which had lasted the entire night.
Eventually, Sanka had even begged Bai Yuan to kill him, but Bai Yuan, thinking of how he had only used half of the hundred great tortures of Xuan Yang, refused without hesitation.
In the end, Liang E couldn’t bear to watch any longer and had Bai Yuan finish Sanka with a single strike.
Presumably, this result would be satisfactory to Liang E’s deceased senior brother, and his spirit could finally rest in peace.
Under the gazes of Liang E and the other two, Bai Yuan bent down and picked up a tattered animal-hide book from the pile of minced flesh—the *Demon Transformation Technique*!
It was for this very Cultivation Technique that Sanka had brutally murdered his own master and senior brother.
The version of the *Demon Transformation Technique* he had given Hu Sanyang was only a fragment. He was naturally cautious and a loner, so he had always kept the complete technique on his person.
In an ironic twist, it had all ended up in Bai Yuan’s hands.
When Liang E saw the Cultivation Technique, a pained expression crossed her face.
She and Sanka’s master had come from the same school; their master was a great and highly respected Demon Hunter from the Southern Border.
However, she and her senior brother had only mediocre aptitude, and each had only learned half of their master’s skills.
She had learned demon control, while her senior brother had learned demon transformation.
Bai Yuan handed the *Demon Transformation Technique* to Liang E. This Cultivation Technique had belonged to Liang E’s master, and now that everyone in her senior brother’s line was dead, it was only right for her to take custody of it.
Liang E sighed deeply. "Since you are Senior Brother Zhou’s disciple, you can be considered a semi-successor to the Demon Hunters. You should hold on to this Cultivation Technique for now."
She gave the *Demon Transformation Technique* to Bai Yuan partly out of gratitude for saving her life, and partly because Bai Yuan was already married to Xiao Qiaoniang and was Zhou Siming’s disciple. It was better to keep it in the family.
Joy bloomed in Bai Yuan’s heart.
The legacies of Demon Hunters were already rare, and for Sanka to have committed patricide and betrayed his master for this *Demon Transformation Technique*, its quality was clearly not low.
He had a great need for Demon Hunter Cultivation Techniques, so he didn’t refuse.
’At worst,’ he thought, ’after I’ve mastered it, I can find a suitable successor to pass it on to. That way, the lineage won’t be broken.’
...
Around noon, Bai Yuan arrived at the Drunken Dream Pavilion at the invitation of Hu Sanyang.
As the most famous restaurant in Yanzhou City, the Drunken Dream Pavilion was extraordinarily luxurious. Of course, it was also a property of the Sun Alliance.
At this moment, the Drunken Dream Pavilion, which should have been bustling with activity, was completely empty.
Hu Sanyang had clearly booked the entire place.
’So this is the kind of power you wield on your own turf.’
"Lord Bai."
The attendant at the door had been notified in advance. Seeing Bai Yuan appear, he immediately scurried over with a fawning expression.
Led by the attendant, Bai Yuan went up to the top floor of the Drunken Dream Pavilion.
Inside an elegant private room, Hu Sanyang was already present, and the delicate laughter of women could be heard from time to time.
As soon as Bai Yuan entered the room, he saw Hu Sanyang with three young women—all with flawless figures and faces—sitting on his lap, his large hands roaming freely.
"Younger Brother Bai, you’re here."
Hu Sanyang immediately beckoned for Bai Yuan to take a seat.
The moment Bai Yuan sat down, a pair of beauties entered the room and gracefully sat down beside him.
Bai Yuan did not refuse them.
’This is a necessary step to get closer to Hu Sanyang.’
Seeing Bai Yuan play along so readily, Hu Sanyang revealed a smug smile.
"Younger Brother Bai, this is Yanzhou’s famous wine, ’Ten Thousand Fall.’ You have to try it."
He raised his large bowl.
Bai Yuan smiled faintly, also raising the large bowl before him and downing it in one gulp.
As a man of the Jianghu, Hu Sanyang naturally enjoyed drinking from large bowls and eating great mouthfuls of meat.
After three rounds of drinks, Hu Sanyang’s spirits were running high. He chuckled and waved his hand.
The women in the room were accustomed to such scenes. With great perceptiveness, they obediently rose and left; what came next was not for them to hear.
Hu Sanyang said, "Younger Brother Bai, even I have long heard of your renowned reputation in Ling Province."
"Brother Hu, you mustn’t tease me."
Bai Yuan waved his hand dismissively.
Hu Sanyang continued, "I’ve heard that Younger Brother Bai is a protégé of Minister Xu and was recommended by the Jiedu Envoy, Lord Du. Your future is truly limitless."
As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes slightly, observing the changes in Bai Yuan’s expression.
The reason he had captured Sanka to befriend Bai Yuan was, of course, not just for Bai Yuan’s fifth-rank official title, nor his position as the Shenfu Sect Master, but for the powerful figures standing behind him.
Both Xu Dingchun and Du Qinghui were major figures in the Imperial Court.
Even someone like him wanted to use this opportunity to build a connection.
"It is merely the favor of my elders."
Bai Yuan gave a faint smile.
At this, Hu Sanyang’s eyes narrowed into slits.
’Elders?’
"Younger Brother Bai is destined for great things. When you come to Yanzhou in the future, you must remember your old brother here."
Hu Sanyang didn’t mention it again.
Combining their brief exchange with intelligence from the Sun Alliance, he was now almost certain that Bai Yuan’s relationship with Xu Dingchun and Du Qinghui was extraordinary. He certainly wouldn’t be stingy if he could win over such a person with a single meal.
He and Bai Yuan drank another eight large bowls.
Finally, a drunken Hu Sanyang pushed open a door. Through the crack, Bai Yuan could see several women already waiting inside.
Bai Yuan got up, preparing to go downstairs.
An attendant approached with a fawning smile. "Lord Bai, the courtesan from the Spring Warmth Pavilion is waiting for you in her room."
Bai Yuan waved his hand. "I am a married man."
Hearing this, the smile on the attendant’s face froze, and he no longer tried to stop him.
Bai Yuan descended from the Drunken Dream Pavilion, his hand on the railing.
By now, the sky was completely dark; it was at least the third watch of the night.
He left Yanzhou City under the cover of darkness.
Before long, he arrived at a post station outside the city. He had settled Sister Qiao and the other two here before he left.
As an important military depot for the Court, ordinary factions would never dare cause trouble at a post station. Bai Yuan’s official status allowed him to stay there, making it the safest place.
Just as Bai Yuan reached the post station, he saw Xiao Qiaoniang at the entrance, craning her neck to look in his direction.
"I had a little to drink," Bai Yuan said with a gentle smile.
Xiao Qiaoniang took Bai Yuan’s hand and sniffed, the cloying scent of rouge impossible to wave away.
Bai Yuan said, "I didn’t stay the night."
Hearing this, Sister Qiao let out a soft chuckle.
She had long heard about the ways of those officials. Even the County Magistrate of Qinghe was like that, so of course her husband, an official of such high rank, would be no exception.
’It’s just playing a part for the occasion.’
’Even so, Bai Yuan still thought of me. Isn’t he the best husband a woman could ask for?’
A wave of sweetness washed over Xiao Qiaoniang’s heart.
Bai Yuan was so much better than those high officials in Linzhou. Although she had long prepared herself for the possibility that he would take many concubines, she was still overjoyed to see him act this way.
Bai Yuan and Sister Qiao walked into the post station.
They saw Liang E and Zhou Siming sitting in a corner.
"Elder Liang, what are your plans now?"
Bai Yuan looked at Liang E.
Among the three of them, Sister Qiao was Liang E’s disciple, and Old Zhou was clearly a simp for her, so he only needed to ask Liang E.
Liang E chuckled. "This old woman has never seen snow. Since we’re already in Yanzhou, I might as well take a trip to the Northern Territory."
Hearing this, Bai Yuan was overjoyed.
He naturally wanted to spend more time with Sister Qiao.
But Sister Qiao was Liang E’s disciple, and a master is like a parent. Filial piety was paramount, so if Liang E had insisted on leaving, he couldn’t have forced her to stay.
"Thank you, Elder Liang."
Bai Yuan bowed respectfully.
The smile on Liang E’s old face widened. She was a Demon Hunter, not some Buddhist nun. In fact, the people of the Southern Border valued love and passion even more than the Central Plains People.
Since Bai Yuan genuinely treated Sister Qiao well, she, as her master, certainly had no intention of breaking up the happy couple.
The group spent the night at the post station.
The next day, Bai Yuan hired a luxurious carriage and took the three of them north, back to Ling Province.
...
「Seven days later.」
Bai Yuan and his party returned to Shenfu Mountain.
"Sect Leader."
Yu Hui had received the news in advance and had specially brought Ruan Xiuluan, Liu Donghai, and the other Peak Masters who were on Shenfu Mountain to wait for Bai Yuan at the main gate.
This was despite Bai Yuan having only mentioned that he was bringing back Xiao Qiaoniang and her master.
Seeing such a grand reception, Bai Yuan naturally guessed it was Yu Hui’s doing.
’As expected of my trusted confidant.’
Bai Yuan was greatly satisfied.
What man, after becoming successful, wouldn’t want to show off in front of his wife?
Xiao Qiaoniang had lived in the Divine Mansion Sect for a time, so she naturally recognized its upper echelons.
To see these great figures, once so high and mighty, now lined up at the main gate to welcome them, felt somewhat surreal to her.
Liang E and Zhou Siming were also greatly shocked by the sight.
From the auras they exuded, it was clear that they were all accomplished Martial Artists on the Martial Dao, not much weaker than the two of them.
That these people were willing to wait here so early was a testament to Bai Yuan’s authority within the Divine Mansion Sect.
Zhou Siming nodded in gratification. "Good kid. I really didn’t misjudge you."
Although there was no formal master-disciple relationship between him and Bai Yuan, he had always regarded Bai Yuan as his own student. Seeing the young man he once knew grow up to become the Sect Leader of the Divine Mansion Sect, he was naturally happy from the bottom of his heart.
Bai Yuan, too, had never forgotten Zhou Siming’s kindness.
He led Xiao Qiaoniang and the other two to a large courtyard on the main peak.
This was originally the Sect Leader’s residence.
However, since Bai Yuan was single and often away leading troops in battle, the residence was only occupied by a few cleaning servants.
Today, it finally had some life in it.
Liang E, accustomed to living as a hermit in the mountains, was not used to such a grand residence. After a few days, she and Zhou Siming left for the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
These days, many Demons were hiding in the forests of Huanglong Prefecture.
As a Demon Hunter, Liang E naturally wanted to see these miraculous beings that were said to exist only in the Northern Plains.
Zhou Siming had lived in Huanglong Prefecture for over a decade and had been to the Hundred Thousand Mountains many times, so he naturally volunteered to go with her.
Although Huanglong Prefecture had been purged multiple times by the joint efforts of Bai Yuan and Yang Fangyu, there were still quite a few powerful Demons remaining.
Worried that Liang E and Zhou Siming might be in danger, Bai Yuan specially dispatched a Firearms Team of a hundred men to accompany them.
Liang E knew this was a token of her good son-in-law’s concern, so she did not refuse.
With Liang E and Zhou Siming’s departure, only Bai Yuan and Xiao Qiaoniang were left in the vast residence.
Bai Yuan simply announced he was entering seclusion and spent several days sparring with Sister Qiao in their room. His spearmanship was as sharp as ever.
"Brother Yuan, I heard you made many friends in Huanglong Prefecture. I was thinking, should we invite them over for a simple meal?"
Xiao Qiaoniang whispered, lying on Bai Yuan’s chest.
Bai Yuan thought Sister Qiao had a point.
In the give and take of relationships, he couldn’t always be the one freeloading meals.
’As they say, with a virtuous wife at home, everything goes smoothly.’
He immediately decided to reward Sister Qiao handsomely!