Immortal Refiner

In Blackrock City, almost all the commoners were laborers or farmers working for the Yan Family. These people relied entirely on the Yan Family for their survival in the city.

This was because all the land outside the city capable of growing Dark Wheat Mushrooms belonged to the Yan Family. Additionally, the Yan Family had raised many enforcers, making their influence immense, and few dared to oppose them.

Feng Xianglin was one such tenant farmer. He worked diligently, hoping only to have enough Dark Wheat Mushrooms to eat each day.

With the recent harvest of Dark Wheat Mushrooms completed, it was now time to sow the seeds again.

As in previous years, Feng Xianglin went to the Yan Family to collect the farming tools needed for planting.

At around thirty years old, he had already been growing Dark Wheat Mushrooms for the Yan Family for nearly two decades. Yet, his household had no surplus grain. If any mishap occurred and he missed a planting season, he would have to go hungry.

If he couldn’t hold on, he would have to ask the Yan Family for relief grain.

However, this relief grain was not easy to obtain. Once he accepted it, it would be equivalent to signing a life-long contract with the Yan Family, making him a serf who could never break free.

Feng Xianglin was a tenant farmer with dreams. He didn’t want to end up as a serf, toiling for the Yan Family for the rest of his life without ever rising above his station.

His greatest dream was to own a piece of land of his own, where he could grow Dark Wheat Mushrooms for himself and not have to hand over his harvest to the Yan Family.

”What? We have to hand over eighty percent of the Dark Wheat Mushrooms this season?” Feng Xianglin exclaimed, his face filled with unease.

”Yes, the master was dissatisfied with last season’s harvest and decided to take an extra ten percent this season. Sigh!”

The person speaking to Feng Xianglin was also a tenant farmer. He had just finished collecting his farming tools when he received this bad news, and now he was deeply troubled.

Feng Xianglin’s expression was equally grim. In previous years, handing over seventy percent of the harvest had barely been enough for him to survive. Now, with an additional ten percent taken, he would likely have to endure periods of hunger.

The most critical issue was that once the Yan Family increased the share, they would not kindly reduce it later.

”There’s nothing we can do about the poor harvest. Look at these farming tools for loosening the soil—they’re so rusty! If the soil isn’t properly loosened, the Dark Wheat Mushrooms won’t grow well!”

”I’ve already told the Yan Family before to make a new batch of soil-loosening tools. Why don’t they listen?”

Feng Xianglin frowned and complained, feeling helpless about the Yan Family’s decision to increase the share by ten percent.

”Sigh, there’s no way around it. There’s only so much land outside the city suitable for growing Dark Wheat Mushrooms. If you don’t farm it, there are plenty of others who will,” the other tenant farmer sighed, waving his hand.

Hearing this, Feng Xianglin immediately fell silent.

If the Yan Family decided not to let him farm, he wouldn’t even be able to survive, let alone resist.

”Forget it, forget it. This season, I’ll just have to farm an extra two-tenths of an acre,” Feng Xianglin said, his eyes dimming.

After farming for so many years, his body was no longer as strong as it used to be. In the freezing cold, with his face to the black soil and his back to the sky, farming an extra two-tenths of an acre was no easy task.

He didn’t know how much longer he could endure such grueling labor.

Most importantly, Feng Xianglin still hadn’t married. He didn’t want the Feng family lineage to end with him.

Keep pushing! Upon hearing such bad news, Feng Xianglin now looked at the grand mansion of the Yan Family ahead on the street, feeling only how ugly and detestable it appeared.

Why doesn’t the heavens strike these bloodsuckers of the Yan Family with a thunderbolt!

Just as Feng Xianglin was cursing and walking towards the gate of the Yan Family mansion, a group of burly, fierce-looking men suddenly emerged from the other side of the street.

At the first sight of these men, Feng Xianglin shivered all over and quickly moved aside, leaning against the gate of the Yan Family mansion. These men, who clearly didn’t look like good people, were from the Righteous Gang, and Feng Xianglin immediately recognized their origins.

The leader, a robust man with a shiny bald head, looked even more terrifying, as fierce as if he could devour people. Feng Xianglin didn’t dare to meet their eyes.

As they approached the gate of the Yan Family mansion, Tian Long waved his hand, and the group of tough men following him all stopped in their tracks.

”Wei Tian, Zhao Kou, you two carry this blacksmith and follow me inside.”

After speaking, Tian Long quickly scanned the dozens of Righteous Gang brothers around him. These were his most trusted men, and each of them was a formidable fighter.

He exchanged glances with them, and his gaze once again swept over several hidden corners of the street.

In these hidden corners lay a sharp, deadly blade. Waiting for the right moment, this blade, composed of thirteen men, would press against the throat of the Yan Family and slit it without hesitation.

The members of the Seven Kill Squad were well-trained. Even with vengeance at hand, none of them lost their composure. Instead, they waited with utmost calmness for Tian Long’s command.

Only in this way could they unleash their full strength and deliver the most devastating blow to the Yan Family.

”Open the gate for me and call out Yan San! I’ve brought the person your second young master wanted!” Tian Long shouted towards the gate of the Yan Family mansion.

As he spoke, Zhao Kou and Wei Tian carried the tightly bound Li Qing to the gate.

Feng Xianglin, trembling beside them, glanced at Li Qing, who was tightly bound with ropes, only his face exposed. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest.

It was a face covered in blood, looking utterly miserable and terrifying. Just one glance was enough to scare him into looking away.

Not long after, laughter came from inside the mansion.

”Hahaha, Leader Tian Long, you’ve finally arrived. The second young master is waiting for you inside. Bring the person in!” Yan San pushed open the gate, also laughing.

Tian Long waved his hand and said, ”I hope the Blood Jade Mushroom and White Meat Mushroom you mentioned are ready?”

”Of course, the second young master never breaks his word. They’ve been prepared long ago!”

Inside the Yan Family mansion, Yan San seemed even more arrogant. Previously, he had been somewhat wary of Tian Long, but now he stood tall and straight.

Once inside the mansion, Li Qing, who appeared to be on the verge of death, keenly sensed several gazes falling upon him.

Li Qing knew without thinking that these were the guards the Yan Family kept in the mansion, guarding against any possible mishaps.

Bang! The mansion gate closed once again. Wei Tian subtly glanced at the guards behind the door and then silently continued carrying Li Qing forward.

It must be said that the Yan Family, being the foremost family in Blackrock City, had quite impressive scenery within its grounds. The small bridges and flowing water were arranged in a picturesque manner, exuding a unique classical charm.

After crossing a stone arch bridge, a hearty laugh soon rang out.

”Haha, it’s been a long time since I last saw you, Sect Leader Tian Long. How have you been recently?”

The second young master of the Yan Family, Yan Gui’an, was sitting unceremoniously on a chair, watching as Tian Long and the others approached.

Behind him stood a middle-aged man whose robust build was no less imposing than Tian Long’s. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze calm as he met Tian Long’s eyes.

He was one of the three martial arts guardians of the Yan Family, Jing Shu! The three guardians each had their own responsibilities, and they were always by the side of the three most important members of the Yan Family: the family patriarch, Yan Qitian; the eldest young master, Yan Guifu; and the second young master, Yan Gui’an, who stood before them.

(End of the Chapter)

📚 Read [IR] on Patreon.com/AnubisTL – Up to c70. [+2]

☕ First 50 Chapters FREE on Patreon and then $5/mo.

🎯 Translated [2] Novel [400k+] Words and counting!