Chapter 10: The Broken Clan

"Alright, Aunt Xue," Li Xun replied softly as he walked toward the door.

The reception hall of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect.

Upon entering, Li Xun immediately noticed a plainly dressed boy. The boy looked to be about thirteen or fourteen, his expression tense as he sat cautiously in a chair.

"Hello, are you here to sell books?" Li Xun greeted gently, careful not to startle him.

"Y-yes... is the buying request you posted genuine?" The boy, initially nervous, relaxed a bit upon seeing that the inquirer was just a child of around seven or eight.

"It is real, but it depends on whether the medicinal book you bring is one I haven’t collected yet," Li Xun replied, approaching the boy.

"If I already have your book, then I’m very sorry."

"How can I be sure? What if after looking, you say it’s useless?" The boy hesitated, then looked doubtful.

"It’s quite simple. If your book is useless to me, I’ll show you one I have that’s the same or very similar," Li Xun explained.

"This will prove I’m not lying."

Over the past year, many had come claiming to possess unique manuscripts, but their contents were often nearly identical. To address this, Li Xun devised this method.

The boy was silent for a moment, then nodded, "That seems fair."

After some hesitation, he took a carefully handmade book from his bosom and placed it gently on the table.

"This book... was made by my grandfather. It’s in two volumes, and this is one of them."

"My grandfather was very skilled in medicine. I think it should be worth... three hundred… no… two hundred Gold Soul Coins?" the boy said uncertainly.

"You stole it?" Li Xun narrowed his eyes, reading the boy’s expression and tone.

"I… I just took it," the boy’s face flushed red as he whispered.

"It’s alright, don’t be nervous. I don’t care where the book comes from; if it’s useful to me, I’ll buy it."

"Besides, knowledge doesn’t vanish when sold, rest assured."

"Your grandfather surely still remembers everything," Li Xun comforted him, sensing the boy’s embarrassment. Fearing the boy might flee with the book, he quickly took it into his hands.

Li Xun’s words seemed to calm the boy somewhat. "You can see how much it’s worth."

Li Xun nodded, then opened the book. When he saw the name on the title page, his eyes brightened.

"Written by Yang Wudi."

Li Xun suddenly looked up at the boy. "You’re from the Broken One Clan? What relation do you have to Senior Yang Wudi?"

"…" The boy was silent.

"He’s my grandfather," the boy admitted, feeling a bit awkward upon hearing the other knew about his elder.

The Broken One Clan had long since declined after the Haotian Sect sealed their mountain and faded into obscurity. When the Haotian Sect offended the Martial Soul Hall, they ran off, forcing the clan to live in hiding.

They thought years had passed and that even the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect would have forgotten them. Yet the boy before him immediately identified him by the book.

Li Xun smiled. Most people wouldn’t reveal their identity over just a name—there are many with the same.

But the three words "Yang Wudi," combined with a herbology manuscript, were unique.

Li Xun carefully turned the pages.

"Fragrant Qiluo Immortal Grade, Miraculous Mushroom Sky Chrysanthemum, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Sacred Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass."

"Along with what I’ve collected before—Longing Autumn Path, Ninth Grade Purple Ganoderma; royal archives’ Narcissus Jade Bone, Cockscomb Phoenix Herb."

"I’ve already gathered most of the medicinal records noted in the Ice-Fire Duality Eye, and this volume contains two immortals unknown even to Tang San, plus some practical medicine recipes. This is a great find."

Li Xun closed the book and looked at the boy.

"I haven’t asked your name yet."

"My name is Yang Qianjun," the boy said slowly.

"I’m Li Xun. You’re a few years older than me, so I’ll call you Brother Yang."

"Brother Yang, this book is very valuable to me. I can offer you a thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"This is the highest bounty I’ve offered in my previous requests."

Li Xun then took a silver card from his storage pouch and handed it to Yang Qianjun.

"Brother Yang, this card lets you withdraw a thousand Gold Soul Coins from any Seven Treasures Glazed Sect property."

Yang Qianjun’s eyes widened as he stared at the card.

He didn’t doubt its authenticity—he had seen similar cards storing Gold Soul Coins in his grandfather’s possession.

He just hadn’t expected his grandfather’s book to be worth so much.

He knew his grandfather’s skill in pharmacology was exceptional, which was why he initially asked for only two hundred Gold Soul Coins, expecting to bargain.

But this boy, Li Xun, immediately offered a thousand.

One Gold Soul Coin could support a family of three for an entire year. Although Soul Masters spent more, even just on food, it would last a long time.

"Thank… thank you," Yang Qianjun said, carefully accepting the silver card and studying it closely.

It was his first time handling such a savings card.

Li Xun, seeing Yang Qianjun’s reaction, grew curious.

Even if the Broken One Clan had fallen on hard times, they wouldn’t be destitute. Yang Wudi’s medicinal skills alone should have provided them a comfortable living.

Otherwise, Tang San wouldn’t have given him the position of Tang Clan’s Medicine Hall Lord.

"Brother Yang, may I ask if your clan is facing any difficulties?"

"If you need assistance, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect is willing to help."

Li Xun paused thoughtfully.

Yang Wudi was formidable, strong enough at level eighty-two to hold his own against a level ninety-two Serpent Spear Douluo.

He had long wanted to find an opportunity to connect with him, hoping to, like Tang San, offer an immortal herb to bring him into the sect.

No matter how one looked at it, this transaction was a win.

"No… it’s not that. My family isn’t wealthy, but we aren’t starving."

"It’s the Min One Clan—they’ve been struggling recently but are too proud to ask my grandfather for help."

"I just want to help them," Yang Qianjun said shyly.

"Brother Yang, do you have someone you like in the Min One Clan?" Li Xun teased.

Yang Qianjun’s face flushed crimson.

The four clans of single attributes maintained close ties and often assisted each other, especially the Min One Clan.

This clan, with limited means, often lacked enough food.

The other three clans mainly helped the Min One Clan.

Their leader, Bai He, was proud and cared deeply about face.

Often when they had difficulties, he wouldn’t ask for help.

This left the young members of the Min One Clan to suffer hunger in silence.

Li Xun understood the situation clearly.

Most likely, Yang Qianjun couldn’t bear to see his beloved suffer but dared not tell Yang Wudi, fearing that if Yang Wudi intervened, Bai He would lose face and punish his lover.

So he tried to assist his beloved privately.

"However, I’m reluctant to intervene in matters concerning the Min One Clan."

He trailed off.