Only I am Venerable-Chapter 37: Eradicating the Roots

"Isn’t this Young Master Qin! What a coincidence, running into you here!"

Qin Yong exclaimed in a mocking tone. He glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, sneered, "Speaking of which, I really have to thank you, Young Master Qin Li. If it weren’t for you, I never would have been able to leave the Qin Family and regain my freedom!" He said he was thankful, but even a three-year-old could hear the venom in his voice. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

But Qin Li acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing. With a smile, he said, "Is that so? Well, I haven’t had breakfast yet. How about you treat me? As you know, I’m a bit short on cash and haven’t been eating my fill recently..."

"You..."

Qin Yong was so furious he was left speechless. He’d seen shameless people before, but never anyone as shameless as Qin Li. ’Is the fury in my eyes not blatant enough?’

"You little bastard! Do you think you’re still in the Qin Family? Today, I’ll show you the wrath of a Yellow Level Tier Three Martial Artist!" As he spoke, Qin Yong swung his arm, aiming a vicious slap at Qin Li’s face. In that instant, a faint yellow light enveloped his body—he was clearly using his full strength.

Clearly, Qin Yong still saw Qin Li as the same weak little brat from a few days ago. The idea that someone could change dramatically in a short time was completely foreign to him.

"The wrath of a Yellow Level Tier Three Martial Artist? Oh, I’m terrified!"

Qin Li stood up, a sneer tugging at his lips as a chilling glint flashed in his eyes. Back at the Qin Family estate, Qin Yong had tried to kill him. If Qin Hongyuan hadn’t been there, Qin Yong certainly wouldn’t have held back with that knife. Although it wouldn’t have been enough to kill him, Qin Li couldn’t possibly tolerate letting someone who wanted him dead continue to live in this world.

’Wasting mental energy on a small fry like Qin Yong isn’t worth it at all!’

Qin Li’s expression remained unchanged. Only when Qin Yong’s palm was about to connect did he strike like lightning, curling his five fingers into the shape of a claw and grabbing for Qin Yong’s wrist.

This was the Eagle Claw Skill he had learned in his past life, now more aptly called the Eagle Claw Combat Skill. There wasn’t the slightest ripple of Primordial Power from his body, yet the five fingers curled into a claw radiated a sharp, piercing aura.

Qin Yong was instantly shocked, horror flashing in his eyes. Before he could even react, a crisp SNAP echoed through the air. A split second later, searing pain shot through him, and an involuntary scream tore from his throat.

"Ah!"

His right hand, which he had filled with Primordial Power, had been crushed by Qin Li’s grip. And that was only because Qin Li had noticed people looking their way and held back. Otherwise, with a single chop, he could have severed Qin Yong’s entire hand at the wrist.

But there was no way he would let Qin Yong off that easily.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

With lightning speed, Qin Li landed several heavy blows on Qin Yong’s vital acupoints. He wouldn’t feel anything for now, but in three days, he would inevitably drop dead.

In his past life, Qin Li had only used this technique once—on the man who had killed his brother and then taunted him, claiming he wouldn’t dare to retaliate. Using it again now filled Qin Li with nothing but a sense of profound, cathartic satisfaction.

He swung his arm, slapped Qin Yong hard across the face, and sneered, "So this is a powerful Yellow Level Tier Three Martial Artist? Ptui! Get the hell out of my sight!"

Qin Yong’s right hand was completely ruined. He shot Qin Li a look of pure venom and ground out, "As long as I’m alive... Qin Li, I will have my revenge!"

"You won’t get the chance," Qin Li said, waving his hand dismissively. "Go home and get your affairs in order."

’I need to move out of Yellow Sand City as soon as I get back. That little bastard will definitely get the Qin Family or the Shangguan Family to come after me. I can’t give him that chance! But don’t you worry, you’ll get what’s coming to you!’

Qin Yong hastily moved out of Yellow Sand City that very day and was never seen again. To the moment of his death, he never understood how it happened.

Getting into a fight first thing in the morning and confirming the power of the Only I am Venerable combat skill put Qin Li in a rather good mood. However, the few other Hunter Martial Artists who had also arrived early now looked at him with a certain degree of fear. To beat a Yellow Level Tier Three Martial Artist into a terrified, fleeing mess with such ease... just how strong was he?

He looked especially young. Though he wasn’t short and his features were sharp and rugged, he couldn’t have been more than fifteen or sixteen. Anyone who could reach Yellow Level Tier Seven or Eight by that age was destined for greatness. He was not someone they could afford to offend.

After all, in the Hunter Guild, Hu’s great reputation was due to him having reached Profound Level Tier Seven in his thirties! Across the entire Hunter Guild in Yellow Sand City, Hu was considered one of the absolute top Hunters.

By the time Hu and his group arrived, the sky had brightened considerably. A ray of sunlight broke over the horizon, bathing the land in a golden glow.

Seeing that Qin Li had apparently been there for a while, Hu walked over with a hearty laugh. "Younger Brother Qin, you’re here early!"

Qin Li smiled casually. "It’s my first time. I’m a little excited."

Over on the side, Bu Yunyan’s eyes were full of playful charm. She giggled, "Well now, I had no idea it was Little Brother Qin’s first time!"

"That’s right. Is Yunyan really that interested in me? It’s still early, why don’t we..." At his core, Qin Li was not one to take a loss, and he wasn’t about to let this woman tease him repeatedly without consequence.

As expected, Bu Yunyan’s pretty face flushed slightly. She scoffed, "Men are all the same! I’m not interested in a little brat like you!"

Seeing Bu Yunyan get flustered, He Laosan and Li Jian both started snickering.

Just then, they heard someone nearby ask, "Has anyone seen Qin Yong from the Qin Family? I was supposed to meet him here. Why isn’t he here yet?"

Someone glanced cautiously in Qin Li’s direction, then lowered their voice and whispered a few words to the man who had asked. The man’s face filled with shock. He looked over at Qin Li with a mixture of fear and respect, then quickly walked away.

Hu and his group were a bit puzzled. "What was that about?" he asked.

Qin Li just smiled. "It was nothing. Just a little scuffle."

Since Qin Li was so casual about it, Hu didn’t think much of it. It was no exaggeration to say that few people in the Hunter Guild would dare to openly pick a fight with his team. Aside from Hu himself, He Laosan was a Yellow Level Tier Eight, Bu Yunyan was a Yellow Level Tier Seven, Li Jian was a Yellow Level Tier Nine, and the Cold Beauty, Leng Yao, had even reached Profound Level Tier One.

A team with that kind of strength was easily one of the top two in the entire Guild.

Once everyone had gathered, Hu did a quick inventory of their wilderness survival gear. Then he looked at Qin Li and said, "Younger Brother Qin, since this is your first time out with us, you don’t need to carry anything. Just come along for the experience. Of course, you’ll still get a share of the profits. What do you all think?"

Li Jian and the others nodded in agreement. In truth, aside from Hu, the others had their own selfish reasons. They all knew Qin Li was the Shangguan Family’s son-in-law. To be on good terms with Qin Li was, to some extent, the same as being on good terms with the Shangguan Family. Otherwise, who would be willing to bring along such a dead weight?

Qin Li said, "Hu, since I’ve decided to join you, I’ll naturally do my part!"

"Hmph. As long as you don’t drag us down, that’ll be good enough, you little brat!" Bu Yunyan retorted, her cheeks puffed out. She was clearly still sore about her failed attempt at teasing him.

Qin Li smiled slightly and said no more.

The men—Hu, Li Jian, and He Laosan—all shouldered heavy packs. Bu Yunyan and Leng Yao were also dressed in practical gear for a fight. Seeing Qin Li empty-handed, Hu said, "Let’s go. We’ll buy Younger Brother Qin a weapon on our way out of the city. You can’t go out there with nothing!"

A warmth spread through Qin Li’s chest. It was easy to tell who had ulterior motives and who didn’t. ’Hu,’ he thought silently, ’one day, I will repay you for this!’