Xiang Yingxin's eyes flashed. "Sixth Uncle, you mean we can take action ourselves?" The Middle-aged Man in White nodded. "Exactly. Ying Xin, don't underestimate the halo of the Xiang Family over your head. Surely that alone is enough to crush a mere petty official?"
"Hey, what's gotten into you? Weren't you always all about lying low and quietly growing stronger? Why are you going head-to-head now?" Inside the Starry Sky Ring, Old Desolate asked anxiously. "Honestly, I don't like your chances against the Xiang Family. A clan that's been accumulating power for thousands of years has far too deep a foundation, and plenty of resources at its disposal."
Xu Yi said, "Old Desolate, get this straight: I'm not the one picking a fight with them. They're the ones coming after me. At a time like this, what's the point of lying low and growing stronger? If I don't stand up now, I'll have to flee for my life. If you like those days of wandering from place to place, never knowing whether you'll make it through the night, I can make that happen for you."
Old Desolate sneered. "Don't try to talk your way out of this. I want to see what you'll use to go head-to-head with them. You've got skinny arms and legs, and no one backing you. I'm afraid the Xiang Family won't need any underhanded tricks. A little nudge from the machinery of government will grind you to dust."
Xu Yi said, "Everything has two sides. You've only seen the Xiang Family's strength, not its weakness. Likewise, you've only seen my weakness, not my strength. Some things, before they're weighed, seem a mere ounce against a thousand jun; put them on the scales, and that ounce can weigh a thousand jun. I'm changing my image."