The entire ground realized that Xiao Zhongying was hinting at something!
Someone couldnât help but ask, âFamily head, are you saying that the Su Familyâs forces have long since made ample preparations? And that so long as Su Yi dares show his face in the White Province, heâll die beyond a shadow of a doubt?â
âI donât know whether Su Yi will live or die,â said Xiao Zhongying calmly. âAll I know is that the Cloud-Scraping King is ready and biding his time, just waiting for Su Yiâs arrival!â
He paused, then broke into a grin rife with hidden meaning. âEveryone, that Su Yi kid might well be strong enough to slay Xiantian Martial Ancestors, but the Jade Capitalâs Su Family⌠Theyâre no pushovers! As for us⌠We can just stand back and relax.â
Having said his piece, he casually grabbed a teacup and took a sip, looking perfectly at ease.
âReporting to the family head, the young mistress has arrived, and sheâŚâ A servant scurried into the hall to deliver a report.
However, before he could finish, Xiao Zhongying cut him off. His expression frosted over, and he feigned confusion. âThe young mistress? Which young mistress? Why didnât I know that our Xiao Family still had a young mistress?â
The higher-upsâ expressions all turned a little strange, while the servant was instantly frantic. He threw himself to his knees and said in a quavering voice, âI deserve to die! I deserve to die!â
âTry saying it again,â said Xiao Zhongying flatly.
The servant took a deep breath, then said, âReporting to the family head, the traitor Xiao Hengqiuâs daughter, Xiao Zijin, has returned!â
This time, Xiao Zhongying nodded in satisfaction. âNo matter what, Zijin is still my niece, and the Xiao Familyâs blood flows through her veins. Since sheâs repented and seen the light, I wonât be harsh with her. Pass on my orders: have her placed under house arrest in the Coldstone Hut.â
But the servant said frantically, âFamily Head, Xiao Zijin brought people with her. Theyâve barged into the family estate!â
The entire group was stunned. Theyâve barged in? Xiao Zijin sure is gutsy!
Xiao Zhongyingâs brow furrowed. âHow many people did she bring? Have we taken her into custody yet?â
The servantâs forehead was covered in sweat. He stammered, âThree people came with Xiao Zijin: Elder Xie Yuanshan, Grandmaster Pei Yundu, and an unfamiliar youthâŚâ
Before the servant could finish, Xiao Zhongying couldnât help but burst into laughter. âAnd here I thought the girl had done something impressive. So, she only brought three people with her?â
The others in attendance laughed too. Xie Yuanshan? He was just another one of Xiao Hengqiuâs old lackeys.
Pei Yundu was worth taking note of, but no more than that.
In the Xiao Familyâs territory, never mind Pei Yundu; even a Xiantian Martial Ancestor would have no choice but to lower their head!
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âYongzheng.â Xiao Zhongying casually ordered, âLead a group and capture them. I want the whole lot of them to kneel before me and confess to their crimes.â
âYes, sir!â A powerful-looking man in black rose, turned, and left.
His name was Lie Yongzheng, and he was a peak fifth-level Grandmaster, as well as Xiao Zhongyingâs right-hand man.
Xiao Zhongying sipped his tea and said, âEveryone, letâs wait here for a moment. Xie Yuanshan doesnât amount to much, but Pei Yundu⌠He actually dared interfere with our clanâs affairs! Weâll have to teach him a lesson heâll never forget.â
The others laughed and voiced their agreement.
However, just a few moments later, frantic, scattered voices emanated from the lakeside.
âShit! The young mistressâs followers are killing their way inside!â
âFamily Head, this doesnât look good!â
âNoââ!â
The uproar was mixed with piteous cries. The group in Windchant Tower heard it all clearly.
âWhat happened?â Xiao Zhongyingâs expression darkened. He suddenly rose, then emerged from Windchant Tower and stared into the distance.
The other higher-ups in attendance rose as well, and all of them followed him.
âŚâŚ
A chaotic scene unfolded on the shore.
The Xiao Familyâs guards, servants, and ordinary clansmen were all scurrying about in panic, screaming and shouting in obvious terror.
Meanwhile, a small group was headed straight toward Windchant Tower. Xie Yuanshan, Pei Yundu cleared a path, while Xiao Zijin and Su Yi trailed after them.
They were just four people, but it was as if no one else were around!
Wherever they passed, the Xiao Familyâs experts dared not block their path.
The reason for this was simple: from the moment they first barged through the gates, countless people had attempted to stop them. However, without exception, all of them had been defeated by Pei Yundu and Xie Yuanshan!
Theyâd made their way here with unstoppable momentum, like an axe cutting through bamboo.
Xiao Zhongying saw this from a distance, and his expression turned incomparably dark. He suddenly bellowed, âAll of you, retreat! Allow them to come over.â
His voice boomed like thunder, spreading throughout heaven and earth.
The Xiao clansmen were already frantic and terrified, and they felt a massive weight lift from their shoulders. All of them scattered, their ranks receding like waters at low tide.
Su Yi and his companions smoothly arrived at the white jade bridge to Windchant Tower. By then, Xiao Zhongying had already led the family higher-ups to the gates of the towerâs first floor. All of them were visibly infuriated, and their expressions brimmed with killing intent.
âZijin, you sure are brazen! And here I planned to spare you and not pursue your earlier transgressions. To think youâd lead people into our territory to kill your own clansmen!? Your crimes warrant execution!â Xiao Zhongyin said, his tone icy and imposing.
Xiao Zijin took a deep breath, then said evenly, âXiao Zhongying, Iâll give you one last chance. Submit and come quietly, and you can escape death. Otherwise, Windchant Tower shall become your grave!â
When they heard this, Xiao Zhongying and his allies were so angry that they laughed. They almost dared not believe their ears.
âYou little bitch! You really donât know whatâs good for you. Just relying on Xie Yuanshan, Pei Yundu, and that⌠that young man, you dare be so impudent?â Xiao Zhongyingâs expression darkened, and his eyes surged with murderous intent.
Suddenly, another family higher-up chimed in, âFamily Head, somethingâs not right here! Where is Lie Yongzheng?â
Xiao Zhongyingâs pupils constricted, and he swept his gaze across the area, but he saw no sign of Lie Yongzheng.
âDonât bother searching for him. Lie Yongzheng is already dead,â said Zijin evenly.
âWhat!?â Xiao Zhongying and the other Xiao Family experts were startled, and all of their expressions changed dramatically.
Lie Yongzheng was a fifth-level Grandmaster! In the Lanling Xiao Family, he was already a peak-level expert. How could he die just like that, and so quickly?
Everyone was bewildered and uncertain.
âPei Yundu, did you do this?â Xiao Zhongyingâs gaze immediately locked onto Pei Yundu, and the rage and killing intent emanating from him intensified.
Pei Yundu shook his head. âIâm afraid I donât possess such skill.â
If it wasn't Pei Yundu, then who was it?
Without any prior discussion, the higher-upsâ gazes all converged on the young man standing beside Zijin.
Neither Zijin nor Xie Yuanshan could possibly have been a match for Lie Yongzheng. That left only one possibility.
The killer had to be that unfamiliar youth in blue!
ExceptâŚ
Based on his aura, he was obviously only a third-level Grandmaster. How could someone like that possibly oppose Lie Yongzheng?
As Xiao Zhongying and his allies were racked with confusion and uncertainty, Su Yi turned to Zijin. âAre these the ones who colluded with the Cloud-Scraping King and seized your fatherâs position?â
Zijin nodded. âThatâs right.â
Su Yi thought for a moment, then said, âShould I kill them all, or take them alive? Just tell me your decision.â
Zijin was instantly hesitant.
Xiao Zhongying and the family higher-ups working with him were all her seniors. In the past, when her father was still head of the family, theyâd all been extremely good to her.
But the cruel thing was that they were also the same group whoâd stripped her father of his position, imprisoned her grandfather, and attacked her fatherâs supporters.
This left her incomparably conflicted.
It was then that the graying middle-aged man beside Xiao Zhongying burst into cold laughter. âWhat a brazen young man! Who do you think you are, boasting so shamelessly in front of us?â
The others laughed coldly as well. Kill them all or capture them alive?
How arrogant!
âShut up.â Su Yi glanced at the graying middle-aged man and flicked his fingers. A streak of golden sword qi shot through the air like lightning.
âYouâre courting death!â The graying middle-aged man was a Grandmaster, and his reputation in the White Province was no inferior to Pei Yunduâs.
When he saw the sword qi streaking toward him, he bellowed and swung his fist.
Then, beneath the crowdâs dumbstruck gazes, the sword qi continued ahead, as if nothing could stand in its way. It effortlessly broke through the manâs punch, then took his head clean off.
Splurt!
The manâs severed head flew through the air. Blood gushed from the stump, and a headless corpse thudded to the ground.
Everyone present fell silent.
Xiao Zhongying and his alliesâ bodies went rigid, and they felt a chill in their hands and feet.
A single effortless slash had slain a Grandmaster as if he were a chicken!
Who would dare believe this was the work of a young man, a mere third-level Grandmaster?
âYou still havenât decided yet?â Su Yi glanced at Zijin, who jumped.
âMaster Su, please just execute Xiao Zhongying. Once my father and grandfather escape captivity, they can deal with the others.â
âThat works too.â Su Yi nodded.
It was then thatâ
A chubby old man, another one of Xiao Zhongyingâs allies, cried out in alarm. âI know who he is! He⌠Heâs Su Yi!â
Su Yi!
It was just a name, yet it seemed to possess magical power; Xiao Zhongying and his allies reacted as if theyâd been struck by lightning. All of them shuddered, and they felt chills course down their spines, as if theyâd been plunged into an icy abyss.
How⌠How could it be him?
Theyâd only just been discussing the Ten Directions Pavilionâs report. At the time, they didnât take it to heart; they were even planning to sit back and watch the show.
Who would have thought that before the show even began, Su Yi, this supremely terrifying youth, would kill his way right to their doorstep?
This shocked the gathered Xiao Family higher-ups out of their wits. All of them were flabbergasted.
Wasnât the Cloud-Scraping King, Shi Lanshan, supposed to have arranged everything? Wasnât Su Yi supposed to suffer a fatal blow as soon as he arrived?
Why had Su Yi shown up here, at the Xiao Family estate?
âYou⌠Are you really Su Yi?â Xiao Zhongying still dared not believe it. His eyes widened.
âIn this world, who could possibly be fearless enough to impersonate Young Lord Su?â Pei Yundu laughed coldly.
Xiao Zhongying seemed to break down. He shouted, âAttack! Hurry up and attack! Otherwise, all of us will be purged! Hurry!â
But as awkward as it was, all of the experts gathered around him hesitated. Not one dared attack.
A manâs character was like a tree, and his reputation was like its shadow.
Even the mighty Lu Dongliu of the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect was no match for Su Yi. How could the likes of them oppose him?
If they really attacked, how would they be any different from eggs flinging themselves against a rock?
âAll of youâŚâ Xiao Zhongying was alarmed and furious. He felt as if he were on the verge of going mad.
Recently, heâd wielded the highest authority in the Xiao Family. When he wanted wind, it was windy. When he wanted rain, it rained. When he gave orders, none dared disobey.
Yet now, he suddenly discovered that in the face of Su Yiâs imposing majesty, his authority as the head of the family seemed utterly empty!
Splurt!
Su Yi attacked, and a streak of sword qi shot through the air, decapitating Xiao Zhongying.
Even in death, the former grand elderâs expression brimmed with dense bewilderment and bitterness.
The entire area fell so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
Waves coursed through the hearts of everyone present.
So what if you wielded vast authority?
In the face of true strength, authority couldn't match up to a single swing of an expertâs sword!