Showdown

Shen Hong watched the situation before him grow increasingly strange and ordered the family members to remain vigilant at all times. Just after Shen Hong finished giving the order, Hu Yanxiong strode over boldly, carrying a large bowl, and stopped before Shen Hong.

"Brother Shen, come, let me toast you." Hu Yanxiong handed the bowl to Shen Hong.

"A cup?" Shen Hong felt a wave of discomfort at the sight of the large bowl before him, but he still accepted it.

"Bottoms up!"

After clinking bowls, the two drained their drinks in one gulp.

"Another!"

After three bowls of wine, Hu Yanxiong's spirits rose, and he slammed his bowl heavily onto the ground.

Clang.

The Sacred Family members who heard the commotion abruptly rose to their feet, each drawing their weapons.

"...Uh, Brother Shen, what do you mean by this?" Hu Yanxiong's gaze carried a hint of amusement.

"Brother Hu Yanxiong, you misunderstand. We just endured the Beast Tide, so my men are still somewhat nervous. What are you all standing around for? Put your weapons away!" Shen Hong barked.

"Hahaha, so that's it. Anyone who didn't know better might think the Sacred Family was planning a rebellion." Hu Yanxiong laughed loudly.

"How could that be? My Sacred Family has always been utterly loyal to Glory City."

Some members of the smaller families who witnessed this scene still believed the Sacred Family was wholeheartedly loyal. But the great families understood that this was blatant guilty conscience!

Ye Zong rose at the right moment and said, "Everyone should be here by now. We have gathered today for two reasons. First, to discuss how we should deal with future Beast Tides. Second, to investigate the corrupt practices within Glory City!"

Shen Hong's suspicions grew even more certain. So they really are coming for us? Still, as long as I deny everything, no one can do anything to me.

"Before we officially begin, I would like to ask everyone: what contributions have Nie Li and Shangguan Hua made to Glory City?"

"Of course they have contributed! Young Master Nie Li set up the Myriad Demon Spirit Array and provided the Alchemist Association with many formulas. Patriarch Shangguan single-handedly repelled the Beast Tide, killing three Legendary Demonic Beasts in succession and saving Glory City from disaster. Their merits are beyond question!" a youth stood and said excitedly.

"Heroes! Heroes!" The others began to echo him.

Ye Zong waved for everyone to quiet down and continued, "Then what if someone wanted to kill these two geniuses?"

"We will never tolerate it!"

"If it were Young Master Nie Li, perhaps that would be one thing. But attacking Patriarch Shangguan? Isn't that just asking for death?" someone said with a laugh.

"Good. Since everyone agrees, let us officially begin. Guards, bring them in!" Ye Zong ordered.

Several guards escorted a group of people into the hall. Quite a few recognized the face of the man at the front.

"Shen Ming? Isn't he from the Sacred Family?"

"Could it be...? The ones who wanted to harm Patriarch Shangguan and the others were from the Sacred Family?"

"That can't be, can it? The Sacred Family is one of Glory City's pillars."

"The witnesses are right here. What's impossible about it? Stop arguing and see what happens first."

Shen Ming and the others were forced to kneel in the main hall. The way some people looked at the Sacred Family gradually changed.

"Brother Shen, some time ago, Shen Ming led several people to ambush Nie Li and the others. Not only did he fail, but he was captured. Under interrogation, he claimed that you ordered him to do it. Is this true?" Ye Zong asked.

Shen Hong cursed Shen Ming as useless in his heart, but he immediately prepared his response.

"This is what happened. During the previous Genius Battle, Shen Ming used family assets without authorization to wager against Nie Li. He lost, and I punished him according to our family rules. Who would have thought that he would grow resentful and actually try to kill Nie Li? As the Patriarch, I failed to supervise him properly. City Lord, punish him as you see fit!" Shen Hong said with righteous indignation.

"Is that so? Then Shen Ming, tell us what happened."

Shen Ming looked at Shen Hong in panic, but received only coldness in return. His heart hardened.

"City Lord, it was—" Before Shen Ming could finish, a red light suddenly flashed inside his mouth, followed by an explosion. Red and white matter splattered across the floor.

"Tongue Restraining Curse?" Someone recognized the secret technique.

"No, why did he die? I've already taken my pants off, and this is what you show me?"

"Oh my, City Lord, Shen Ming must have felt so guilty that he committed suicide. What should we do now?" Shen Hong said in a mocking tone.

"It's fine. Let me handle it." Shangguan Ye stepped forward.

At the sight of Shangguan Ye, Shen Hong's heart tightened.

That brat again. But can he bring Shen Ming back from the dead in this situation?

Shangguan Ye grabbed one of Shen Ming's accomplices, pressed him to the ground, and began drawing symbols.

Impure World Reincarnation

The accomplice was rapidly surrounded by scraps of paper, gradually transforming into Shen Ming's appearance.

The moment Shen Hong saw Shen Ming, he was greatly alarmed and immediately shouted, "Shangguan Ye is toying with the soul of the dead! This is an evil art! Everyone, join me and kill him!"

But no one paid him any attention. Everyone only cared about the truth.

Shen Ming looked at his own corpse on the ground, which had not yet gone cold, and felt a complicated mix of emotions. When he thought of all the contributions he had made for the Sacred Family, only to end up like this, his eyes became empty. Seeing Shen Ming in that state, it was clear they would get nothing from questioning him. Shangguan Ye took out an Image Recording Ball and placed his other hand atop Shen Ming's head.

Human Path

Shangguan Ye used the Human Path to examine Shen Ming's memories. The Image Recording Ball slowly lit up, and Shen Ming's memories began to appear before everyone.

At the seat of honor, Shen Hong looked down at the kneeling Shen Ming and said in a deep voice, "Shen Ming, go kill Nie Li, and I will spare you. If you fail..."

Shen Hong's face turned deathly pale, but the memories did not stop there. Shen Ming's memories of acting as the Sacred Family's liaison with the Dark Guild were also revealed. Members of every family glared furiously, and then came the most shocking revelation: even Ye Ziyun's mother had died at Shen Ming's hands under Shen Hong's instructions.

Seeing this, Ye Zong completely erupted. Shen Hong immediately fused with his demon spirit and charged out with the Sacred Family members.

"Shen Hong! You will die today!" Ye Zong and Shangguan Xun charged forward together, blocking Shen Hong's path. Those behind them encircled the Sacred Family members completely. The situation was overwhelmingly one-sided.

Ye Zong and Shangguan Xun attacked together. Shen Hong was no match for them and could only defend desperately.

"This is bad! The Patriarch is being besieged!"

"Quick, use that move!"

Seeing that the situation had turned dire, several Elders formed hand seals together.

Shadow Demon Great Law

Black mist continuously poured from the Elders' bodies, slowly forming a towering dark giant. With a mere wave of its hand, the Shadow Demon swept away swathes of lives.

But just as the Shadow Demon was preparing to continue its assault, a massive ice spike struck its hand. Its hand instantly froze over.

"It's the Snow Wind Spirit God! We forgot he was here!"

Ye Xiu controlled the Snow Wind Spirit God, continuously releasing frigid energy. Half of the Shadow Demon's body was frozen, and the Snow Wind Spirit God reached for several Sacred Family Elders. If it touched them, they would instantly turn into shards of ice.

Shen Hong inwardly cursed at the sight and tried to rush out to save them, but Ye Zong would not have his way. With a burst of speed, he rushed before Shen Hong again and entangled him.

Just as the Snow Wind Spirit God was about to seize the Elders, a black energy barrier blocked it. When the barrier vanished, a silver-haired man dressed in black appeared before everyone.

"Who are you?" Ye Xiu asked.

"Dark Guild Enforcement Elder, Gui Sha."