"The thing I regret most is not burying you alive at the Pig Farm, you criminal." Bloodlust brewed in Su Xuefeng's eyes. He led Su Zhengtao forward step by step and roared, "Everyone, heed my command..."
Before he could finish, a thunderous voice sounded from outside: "Su Xuefeng, head of the Su Clan, come out and receive the City Lord's Decree!"
At the sound, Su Xuefeng, who had been working himself into a frenzy, felt as if a basin of cold water had been dumped over his head. He was utterly miserable.
What was the City Lord doing at a crucial moment like this?
The guests exchanged confused glances. Why was the City Lord issuing an order now?
"Su Xuefeng, didn't you hear me?" the voice outside called again.
Suppressing his fury, Su Xuefeng glared at the four of them through clenched teeth. "I'll let you live a little longer."
With that, he had no choice but to go out.
Then the City Lord's Guard who had come to deliver the decree announced, "The Lord of Yun Province is holding the Yun Province Grand Competition. As one of Yunye City's four great clans, the Su Clan must send at least one young descendant to participate."
The announcement rang through the hall, and the crowd erupted in astonishment. It was the Yun Province Grand Competition!
"However, Yunye City has only three places, so a selection will be held in seven days. Make your preparations."
After speaking, the City Lord's Guard turned to leave with the decree...
Su Xuefeng was completely dumbfounded. Who did the Su Clan even have left to compete?
Su Shan was dead, Su Yang was badly injured, and Su Yun couldn't fight...
Not one of the other branch-family descendants was any good either. What was the point of competing?
But this competition was undoubtedly important. If the Su Clan could secure a place to go to Yun Province—or even place well in the Yun Province Grand Competition—its standing in Yunye City would become even more secure.
Conversely, if one of the other three great clans placed well, they would surely tear the Su Clan apart.
"Damn that criminal! Su Shan, my Su Shan!"
Su Xuefeng howled inwardly. If Su Shan hadn't been killed, one of the three places would have been theirs for the taking.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. "Sir, please wait. Could my granddaughter's husband participate?"
He was referring to Sikong Jing. With the criminal's strength, he could surely win a place if he were allowed to compete.
The City Lord's Guard stopped and asked in return, "Your granddaughter's husband? You mean that criminal the Lord of Yun Province arranged to marry into your family?"
Su Xuefeng gritted his teeth and nodded firmly.
Though he wanted nothing more than to wipe Sikong Jing out, he was the only one in the Su Clan with enough strength to compete now.
The City Lord's Guard's mouth twitched. He snapped, "What kind of joke is this? An ordinary grandson-in-law would be fine, but you want a criminal to compete in such an important event as the Yun Province Grand Competition?"
Su Xuefeng opened his mouth, but no words came out. A criminal truly had no right to compete—not even the right to leave the city.
Watching the City Lord's Guard leave, Su Xuefeng returned to the hall with a dark expression and fixed his murderous gaze on Su Zhenglong and the others.
"You heard what he said, didn't you?"
"I was going to give you a chance to make amends, but unfortunately, your son-in-law is nothing but a damned criminal."
Su Xuefeng seethed with resentment.
Su Zhenglong and Mei Xiaofang also sighed quietly. This should have been the perfect chance to make peace.
But why did Sikong Jing have to be a criminal?
"Now you still have to die." Su Xuefeng's killing intent surged once more.
At that critical moment, Su Yun spoke up. "Grandfather, I think you should give them a chance to make amends."
"What?"
Su Zhengtao stared at his daughter in disbelief. Sikong Jing had killed her eldest brother, and his body was still lying there!
And she still wanted to give them a chance? What was Su Yun thinking?
Su Yun only gave a soft laugh. "A criminal can't compete, but his wife can."
Huh?
The crowd froze, then immediately turned to look at Su Yuexi.
Mei Xiaofang's mouth fell open. She couldn't help crying out, "Su Yun, what are you talking about? Yuexi can't fight!"
But Su Xuefeng's eyes lit up. His thoughts whirled, and a plan suddenly came to him.
"Right. Let that ugly girl compete in the selection."
"Haven't you always said I had no compassion for you?"
"You killed Xiaoshan, but as your grandfather, I can let bygones be bygones. As long as Su Yuexi wins Yunye City's place in the Yun Province Grand Competition, I'll even give you a generous reward."
Su Xuefeng spoke slowly, his old face twisted into a vicious grin. No one knew what he was plotting.
In the distance, Su Yun let out a long breath.
Damn, she'd been afraid that the Yun Province Grand Competition might require a direct descendant of the Su Clan. If so, other than Su Yuexi, she'd be the only one left.
She certainly wasn't going to get herself killed, so Su Yuexi couldn't die just yet.
"That's impossible! Yuexi doesn't know the first thing about martial arts. Why don't you send Su Yun instead?" Mei Xiaofang objected without thinking.
Even the selection in Yunye City was no game. Someone could easily die.
Besides, if someone who couldn't fight was thrown into the ring, wouldn't her opponents humiliate her until she broke down?
Even if Mei Xiaofang had to die right now, she didn't want her daughter mocked and humiliated by the whole city.
"I'm willing to compete." Suddenly, Su Yuexi's clear voice rang out.
Beneath her veil, her face was filled with resolve.
Only by accepting this condition could she save her family and quell her grandfather's fury over Su Shan's death. So she wouldn't hesitate.
As she spoke, Su Yuexi looked at Sikong Jing beside her and bit her lip. "Jing Gege, please don't stop me."
Sikong Jing paused, then smiled. "I wasn't planning to stop you. If you want to compete, then do it."
Now that Su Yuexi's Crimson Spider Poison had been cured, the factor that had held back her growth was gone. Sikong Jing had examined her body the previous night, and her martial talent was definitely strong.
There were still seven whole days—more than enough time for him to help her grow.
Today, he would make Su Yuexi shine brighter than anyone.
And seven days from now, he would make Su Yuexi... unrivaled in Yunye City!
"What the hell, Sikong Jing? Are you out of your mind?" Mei Xiaofang exploded.
Su Xuefeng, however, laughed triumphantly. "As expected of my good granddaughter! Someone, go to the City Lord's Mansion immediately and sign Su Yuexi up."
A member of the Su Clan accepted the order and hurried away to the City Lord's Mansion.
Su Zhenglong and Mei Xiaofang stared with their mouths agape. It was too late to stop this now.
"Everyone, disperse."
Seeing this, Su Xuefeng waved his hand again. All the Su Clan's elite fighters who had surrounded Sikong Jing and the others withdrew.
The birthday banquet somehow resumed as though nothing had happened.
If Su Shan's body hadn't still been lying there, it would have seemed as if nothing had happened at all.
At that moment, Luo Tong's voice rang out. "Ha! Congratulations, Master Su, on gaining such a fine son-in-law. He's personally destroyed the Su Clan's future!"
At those words, Su Xuefeng nearly lost his temper again, but he forced himself to hold back.
"Husband, Grandfather Su is obviously planning to have that ugly girl die in the ring. Then some impulsive criminal will rush in to save her, and they'll hack him to death with a flurry of blades."
Luo Tong's wife giggled. It was as if she had seen right through Su Xuefeng's plan.
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