Resolution

After dealing with Jia Lie Ying, Xiao Peng searched around and found the Jia Lie Family's treasure vault.

Upon reaching the Jia Lie Family's treasure vault, Xiao Peng took everything inside.

"Time to deal with the other one."

The Qingping Sword let out a hum and carried Xiao Peng away from the vault, its azure light streaking across the night sky like a meteor.

The night wind howled past his ears. The Qingping Sword flew even faster than it had on the way here, its edge splitting the clouds and leaving the houses and streets below as blurred afterimages.

In less than the time it took to burn an incense stick, the Ao Ba Family's manor, built from black granite, appeared in sight.

Unlike the Jia Lie Family's crimson gates and high walls, Oba Manor exuded a grim, murderous air. Even the stone lions before its gates had been carved with savage faces.

Deep within the manor, the lights in the main courtyard were still on, and faint voices drifted over on the wind.

"Why is there still no word from Jia Lie Bi?" a coarse, hoarse voice asked impatiently. "Could those useless fools led by One-Eyed have screwed up?"

"Second Brother, calm down," another, steadier voice reassured him. "The Jia Lie Family's Earth Splitting Spear is no decoration. Even if Xiao Peng has some skill, he has no chance against the Black Wind Group and the Jia Lie Family working together. Perhaps Jia Lie Bi is already holding a Celebration Banquet."

"Big Brother is right." The coarse voice softened somewhat. "Once dawn comes, we'll proceed according to plan and join forces with the Jia Lie Family to swallow up the Xiao Family's businesses. Then all the ore trade in Wu Tan City will belong to our Ao Ba Family!"

As the two spoke, they suddenly felt a gust sweep overhead. The lanterns in the courtyard swayed violently, and their candles nearly went out.

"Who?!"

Ao Ba Pa, the Ao Ba Family's patriarch, shot to his feet. Earth-yellow Dou Qi burst from his body as he stared warily toward the roof.

Before his words had even faded, an azure streak crashed down like thunder, smashing a shallow pit into the bluestone tiles of the main courtyard.

Xiao Peng stood atop the Qingping Sword, its tip angled toward the ground. The pressure of the Spiritual Power radiating from him seemed to freeze the air itself.

"I'm afraid the Jia Lie Family's Celebration Banquet won't be happening," Xiao Peng said coldly. "All their people are dead."

"What?!" Ao Ba Pa and the Second Elder of Ao Ba Family's expressions changed drastically, their eyes filled with disbelief. "You... you killed Jia Lie Bi?"

"They were merely a pack of clowns. I killed them, so what?" Xiao Peng raised his sword at the two men. "Now it's your turn."

"Arrogant!"

Ao Ba Pa roared and charged at Xiao Peng, a massive amount of Dou Qi gathering in his palm.

As he rushed forward, Ao Ba Pa's palm swelled several times in size. Earth-yellow Dou Qi covered it like solidified stone as it slammed toward Xiao Peng's face with the force to crush everything.

This was the Mountain Collapse Palm, a Dou Technique he had cultivated for many years. He had once used this very palm strike to shatter boulders.

"A petty trick, yet you dare show off before an expert."

Xiao Peng shifted slightly. The Qingping Sword rose on its own as though alive, its spine striking precisely against Ao Ba Pa's palm.

Clang!

The crisp metallic clash made everyone's eardrums ache. Ao Ba Pa felt an overwhelming force surge up his arm.

The Dou Qi barrier around his palm shattered instantly, and his bones let out a teeth-grinding crack.

He screamed as he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into a corridor pillar and coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Seeing this, the Second Elder's eyes hardened. The curved saber at his waist suddenly left its sheath, its blade wreathed in Dou Qi as it silently slashed at Xiao Peng's side. He clearly intended to kill him while he was off guard.

It was as though Xiao Peng had eyes on the back of his head. Without turning around, he flicked the Qingping Sword backward.

Ssh!

Sword light collided with saber light. The Second Elder's wrist went numb, and his curved saber was forcibly knocked into the air.

Before he could react, an icy chill touched his neck. Looking down, he saw the Qingping Sword's tip pressed against his artery. If it advanced even half an inch, blood would spray across the courtyard.

"Spare... spare me..." The Second Elder went limp all over, cold sweat instantly soaking his robes.

Xiao Peng ignored his plea. With a light twist of his wrist, sword light flashed.

The Second Elder's scream came to an abrupt halt. His body crumpled to the ground, the line of blood at his neck blooming like a red plum blossom.

Ao Ba Pa watched the scene, his pupils dilating in terror. He struggled to rise, only to discover that both arms had been shattered by the previous blow. He could not even gather Dou Qi.

"You... who exactly are you?" Ao Ba Pa's voice trembled beyond recognition. "Wu Tan City has never had anyone like you. Your strength... you are no Dou Zhe at all!"

Xiao Peng looked calmly at Ao Ba Pa. "Who I am isn't important. What matters is that you're dead."

"Protect the patriarch!"

Urgent shouts came from outside the courtyard. Several dozen Ao Ba Family guards rushed in with long sabers in hand, Dou Qi flowing across their blades and forming a patch of chilling light.

They had clearly been alarmed by the commotion. When they saw the devastation in the main courtyard, their eyes turned bloodshot with rage.

The captain of the guards roared, his saber whistling through the air as he chopped at Xiao Peng's back. "Brat, you dare hurt our patriarch? Die!"

Xiao Peng did not even turn around. The Qingping Sword traced an arc through the air in his hand, its sword light forming a wall that blocked every incoming blade.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A dense series of metallic clashes rang out. The guards felt immense force travel through their sabers, splitting the webbing between their thumbs and forefingers as their weapons nearly flew from their hands.

"A bunch of trash, and you think you can stop me?"

The Qingping Sword suddenly flared with several feet of azure light. Humming, it transformed into a flowing ribbon of light that darted and wheeled through the guards.

Ssh! Ssh! Ssh!

Wherever the sword light passed, blood sprayed.

The guards charging at the front had not even seen the sword's shadow before clutching their throats and collapsing, their eyes still filled with undispersed shock.

The guard captain's powerful saber strike was lightly deflected by the Qingping Sword.

Then the sword light curled back, sliding along the saber to his wrist. With a sharp crack, the hand gripping his saber twisted at a grotesque angle. The saber clattered to the ground, and before he could scream, sword light had already swept across his throat.

The remaining guards were thrown into utter disarray. Some turned to flee, only to be struck by the Qingping Sword's lingering light and collapse instantly.

In mere moments, all several dozen guards had fallen in pools of blood. The bluestone tiles of the main courtyard were dyed red, and the air was thick with the stench of blood.

Xiao Peng recalled the Qingping Sword, and the bloodstains on its blade were instantly cleansed away by its azure light.

Xiao Peng looked at Ao Ba Pa, sprawled on the ground, his voice utterly calm. "Now, no one can protect you."

Ao Ba Pa stared at the corpses covering the ground, trembling like a sieve. A wheezing sound leaked from his throat, and he no longer had the strength even to beg for mercy.

The Qingping Sword slowly flew out. Its cold gleam reflected in his pupils. In the end, he saw only a blinding flash of azure light before losing consciousness completely.

In the final second before his consciousness vanished, Ao Ba Pa was filled with regret—regret that he had ever involved himself in this matter.