Crisis at Hand

Knock, knock~

A knock sounded at the door. "Miss, the Clan Leader asked you and the young master to go to the main hall. Clan Leader Yang and Clan Leader Zhao have arrived. They said the Liu Family is coming."

"Understood." A voice answered, "We'll head over now."

Candlelight flickered faintly in the room. Zhang Shiqing sat at the bedside and said calmly, "The Liu Family is coming? Could it be that they intend to make a move against our Zhang Family?"

"Possible!" Qin Jishi yawned, looking utterly unconcerned.

"You aren't worried?" Zhang Shiqing's brows drew together slightly as she looked at him meaningfully.

"Would worrying do any good?" Qin Jishi shrugged. "Since the Liu Family gathered all these people together, it proves they have something to rely on. I imagine they're ready to make their move."

"They're preparing to act?" Zhang Shiqing narrowed her eyes. "There are rumors outside that the Liu Family has the Black Eagle Prefecture as a great tree behind them. Could it be true?"

"Possible." Qin Jishi looked serious. "The Black Eagle Prefecture holds a certain standing in the Azure Wave Imperial Capital. It is absolutely not something the forces of Soaring Dragon City can stand shoulder to shoulder with."

"And you still aren't worried?" Zhang Shiqing raised her delicate brows slightly, her gaze never leaving Qin Jishi.

"When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it." Qin Jishi rose from his chair. "Let's go. I heard the Black Eagle Prefecture isn't an utterly wicked force. I think they'll reason things out with us."

Reason things out?

Black lines appeared across Zhang Shiqing's forehead.

Still, she was filled more with intense curiosity. By all rights, shouldn't Qin Jishi have been worried when facing the Black Eagle Prefecture? Yet that expression of his...

With doubt and deep confusion, Zhang Shiqing left the room with him.

Inside the main hall!

Zhang Jinhua and the Lineage elders wore grave expressions. "Clan Leader Yang, if what you say is true, and the Liu Family has the Black Eagle Prefecture backing them this time, then you need not wade into these muddy waters. We will bear all the consequences ourselves."

"Master, you..." Tang Xiulan kept pushing Zhang Jinhua with her hand from the side.

At a critical moment like this, if the Yang Family and Zhao Family truly stood by and watched, how could the Zhang Family bear the consequences alone?

One had to know that the Black Eagle Prefecture was coming—a renowned force in the Azure Wave Imperial Capital. How could their tiny Zhang Family possibly contend against them?

How could Zhang Jinhua not understand this? But what else could he do?

The Yang Family and Zhao Family had already done more than enough. Why drag them deeper into this?

"Patriarch Zhang." Yang Kun smiled lightly. "We said that from now on, we would share honor and disgrace. If we simply left now, what would the forces of Soaring Dragon City think of us?"

"That's right!" Zhao Tai echoed. "Patriarch Zhang, rest assured. Even if the Liu Family really brings in the Black Eagle Prefecture, there is no need for us to fear them or worry."

Zhang Jinhua blinked. Seeing how unconcerned Yang Kun and Zhao Tai appeared, could they have some hidden card up their sleeves? After all, the Black Eagle Prefecture's strength was right there for all to see.

Looking at the two men brimming with confidence, Zhang Jinhua said gratefully, "You two Clan Leaders, the Zhang Family will never forget such great kindness. Please accept my bow."

"Patriarch Zhang!" Yang Kun quickly supported Zhang Jinhua. "You absolutely must not."

What a joke. Zhang Jinhua was Qin Jishi's father-in-law. How could Yang Kun possibly accept a bow from him?

"Patriarch Zhang." Zhao Tai raised a hand. "If you do this, you are treating us as outsiders."

Helplessly, Zhang Jinhua nodded and could only let it go. "You two Clan Leaders, if the Zhang Family can turn peril into safety this time, we will surely come to your doors one day to offer our thanks."

As he spoke, Zhang Jinhua looked at Tang Xiulan. "Matriarch, the Liu Family has come with ill intent this time. When Jishi and Shiqing arrive later, you are to leave first."

"Master..." Tang Xiulan frowned deeply.

"Listen..." Zhang Jinhua said in a low voice. "Shiqing is the hope of our Zhang Family. As long as she is here, our Zhang Family still has hope. Do you understand?"

"I'm not leaving..." Tang Xiulan's eyes reddened. "Master, even if I die, I want to be with you."

"Foolishness!" Zhang Jinhua rebuked. "There is no room for negotiation in this matter."

"No... no..." How could Tang Xiulan not know what Zhang Jinhua was thinking? Asking her to live on alone was something she could never do.

Yes!

She feared death, but that did not mean she could abandon Zhang Jinhua.

"You..." Just as Zhang Jinhua was about to continue scolding her, two people entered the main hall.

"Little Friend Qin!"

"..."

Almost immediately, Yang Kun and Zhao Tai looked over. Deep reverence could be seen in the depths of their eyes. Though it vanished in an instant, it did not escape Zhang Shiqing's notice.

The Yang Family and Zhao Family really had come because of Qin Jishi. Zhang Shiqing came to a conclusion in her heart.

What exactly had he experienced over the past ten years? Could it be that he had truly been accepted as a disciple by the World-Saving Pavilion?

Only that possibility could explain everything.

"Everyone!" Upon entering the main hall, Qin Jishi smiled. "What happened? Why are you all so solemn?"

"Qin..."

Before Yang Kun could finish, Tang Xiulan's rebuke cut him off. "Qin Jishi, it's all because of you! If not for you, would our Zhang Family have fallen into this crisis?"

"You jinx!"

"Useless trash who ruins more than he accomplishes."

"..."

Tang Xiulan vented all her resentment on Qin Jishi.

Yang Kun and Zhao Tai's expressions shifted, their brows knitting tightly. Their faces looked somewhat unpleasant.

How dare she disrespect their Young Pavilion Master? If Tang Xiulan had not been Qin Jishi's mother-in-law, then hmph...

"Mother..." Zhang Shiqing was also somewhat dissatisfied. "How can you blame Jishi for this matter?"

"Shiqing!" Tang Xiulan's body trembled slightly. "At a time like this, you're still defending him. If he truly has any ability, then let him help our Zhang Family overcome this crisis."

"Matriarch." Zhang Cheng snorted disdainfully. "Him? What a joke."

"..."

Zhang Cheng and the others had already held grievances against Qin Jishi. Even though the circumstances were unusual now, they still did not miss the chance to strike at him.

"Shut up!" Zhang Jinhua's face darkened. "Can't any of you see the situation clearly?"

"Jishi!"

Zhang Jinhua's voice was hoarse. "Listen to me. Take Shiqing and your aunt away from here. As long as you live, our Zhang Family will still have hope."

Hearing this, Qin Jishi shook his head. "Uncle Zhang, I understand your worries. Don't worry. With Clan Leader Yang and Clan Leader Zhao here, nothing will happen."

"Is that so?"

Hearing Qin Jishi's question, Yang Kun and Zhao Tai were stunned before quickly realizing what he meant.

"Ah—Little Friend Qin is right. With us here, the Liu Family won't be able to stir up any great waves."

"That's right, that's right. Everyone, rest assured. So what if the Liu Family brings in the Black Eagle Prefecture for help? With us here, they won't dare act recklessly."

Yang Kun and Zhao Tai's confident manner finally offered some comfort to the worried members of the Zhang Family.

They could tell that Yang Kun and Zhao Tai were not speaking empty words. From their tone, it was clear that they did not take the other side seriously at all.

Could it be that the Yang Family and Zhao Family had backers no weaker than the Black Eagle Prefecture?

It had to be!

Otherwise, where would they find such confidence?

"Uncle Zhang!" Qin Jishi smiled. "Clan Leader Yang and Clan Leader Zhao have already made their stance clear. We should trust them. Rest assured, nothing will happen."

As he spoke, Qin Jishi walked to the side and sat down, looking as though nothing had happened.

Zhang Shiqing had seen every one of Yang Kun and Zhao Tai's reactions. With curiosity and confusion, she sat down to one side. "What exactly do you have to rely on?"

"You guess?" Qin Jishi kept smiling.

Zhang Shiqing: "..."