Chapter 49: Treasures (Part Two)
An exceptional strategist not only had to devise a good plan, but also needed the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
No matter how ingenious a plan was, it could never keep pace with change. The ability to adapt was what every person destined for greatness needed to possess.
Cai Di was just such a person. The moment he entered Nangong Mansion, he had sized up the place and devised a perfect plan. He was also capable of revising it in response to changes within the mansion.
Although Cai Di was only at the Body Integration Realm, the Heaven-Concealing Talisman protected him, so the Geng Metal Killing Array couldn't harm him for now.
Originally, Cai Di had planned to use his poison to muddle the minds of the three Tribulation Transcendence Realm experts from the Nangong Family, making them slaughter one another before detonating their Nascent Souls and dying. That would make it seem as if they had died defending some secret.
But judging by the situation now, the Nangong Family really did possess a major secret—one that Nangong Xiangque was willing to protect at any cost, even if it meant killing every cultivator here.
Cai Di hadn't expected the place to be protected by an Immortal-grade array, either. Although it was being manned by only one Tribulation Transcendence Realm cultivator and couldn't unleash its full power, it was more than enough to slaughter two hundred cultivators at the Body Integration Realm or below.
Cai Di wouldn't allow that to happen. Once those two hundred cultivators died, the Nangong Clan could spin whatever tale it liked. With just a little nudge, the Chen Clan would inevitably be saddled with all the blame.
In an instant, he came up with a new plan.
Shadow had already reported everything happening here to Chen Xiao, as if broadcasting it live.
Chen Xiao was confronting Nangong Wenyang at the Heavenly Abode, but he had been keeping a close eye on the situation there. After hearing Shadow's report, he made his decision at once: whatever the cost, he had to find out what was in the Nangong Family's treasure vault.
At that moment, nearly a hundred cultivators were fighting fiercely inside the Heavenly Abode. No matter how powerful its defensive array was, it had been blasted into a heap of rubble. Now, the two sides faced off amid the ruins, covered in dust from head to toe.
The outsiders and Aristocratic Clan scions who had been out traveling had also been caught off guard and left in a sorry state. Naturally, they blamed it all on Nangong Wenyang.
By now, the two sides were fighting with bloodshot eyes. They had held back a little at first, but now they were using their killing moves. The Nangong Family had more people and held an overwhelming advantage.
Chen Xiao stood to one side without leaving. His face was twisted with rage, and Killing Intent shone in his eyes, but his heart was strangely calm.
By now, that Innate Kui Water Talisman should have been fully activated, and Nangong Wenyue should be dead. If I kill Nangong Wenyang now, will Nangong Shenhe be furious?
Chen Xiao kept turning the matter over in his mind, wondering how he could inflict the greatest losses on the Nangong Family while keeping a low profile and avoiding notice.
BOOM!!!
Just then, a thunderous explosion erupted in the northwest. The Nangong Family's mansion had been blown sky-high, along with the surrounding buildings, leaving nothing but flat ground.
"Not good!"
Xia Rende, who had been fighting with bloodshot eyes, suddenly shuddered. A shrill cry burst from his lips. "Everyone, return to the family at once! Kill anyone who dares to stop you!"
PFFT!
Xia Rende opened his mouth and released a magical treasure shaped like an iron hammer. It smashed a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator from the Beiyu Family—and his Nascent Soul along with him—into a bloody pulp.
Seeing Xia Rende unleash his power, the three trusted subordinates of Bei Yu Xian and the others felt their hearts tremble and instinctively eased their attacks.
Xia Rende seized the opportunity, grabbed Nangong Wenyang, and led his men in a frantic charge toward the Nangong Family's mansion. He didn't know the family's deepest secrets, but protecting its interests was still his duty.
"Ling Jian, Huan Sha, you two keep Seventh Young Master safe. The rest of you, come with me and take a look."
After hearing the tremendous commotion from the direction of the Nangong Family, Fifth Brother's heart jolted. He hurriedly gave his orders to his men.
"Little Seven, stay here and don't move. Be careful, no matter what."
Fifth Brother called out, then led the dozen or so other attendants with him as they soared toward the Nangong Family.
They weren't the only ones. The other outsiders also took action. With such a huge commotion at the Nangong Family, they naturally had to investigate.
Chen Xiao watched them go, a cold smile curling at his lips.
"Third Brother, the city's already descended into chaos. Father wants you to return immediately."
At that moment, Chen Yuan, Chen Xiao's eldest brother, approached him and spoke. Then he turned to Bei Yu Xian and the other two, warning them, "And you three, return to your respective families at once. Don't go looking for trouble."
Chen Yuan's face was grave. The incident had taken place at the Nangong Family, but the family was still part of Moon-Gazing City. If the matter was investigated, the Chen Clan wouldn't escape responsibility.
Chen Xiao nodded helplessly. In truth, he wanted to go watch the show at the Nangong Family. After all, he had orchestrated the whole thing. If he wasn't there to witness it, he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
But Chen Yuan had come in person, and Chen Xiao knew Chen Tiannan had sent him to bring Chen Xiao back because he was worried something might happen to him.
Chen Xiao understood that his father meant well. He said goodbye to Bei Yu Xian and the other two, then followed Chen Yuan back to the mansion.
The instant Chen Xiao and Mengmeng returned, the Golden Light Demon-Defending Array sprang fully to life, guarding against the chaos spreading to the City Lord's Mansion. Chen Fengyang had now refined most of the City-Suppressing Seal, and with the two working in tandem, the array's power had increased several times over.
The Chen Clan had made its position clear: it would remain aloof and mind its own business. No matter how chaotic Moon-Gazing City became, it had nothing to do with the Chen Clan.
When Chen Xiao brought Mengmeng back to his courtyard, he saw Cai Di, Shadow, and Ao Xie discussing something.
Cai Di looked deeply troubled, while Ao Xie seemed indifferent. As for Shadow, there was no telling what expression he wore.
In front of Shadow lay a blue-green Stone Stele, its surface covered in countless dense cracks. It looked as if it might crumble at any moment.
In fact, it was only half a stele, split down the middle. The half before Shadow was the upper portion. An ancient character was carved into it, but Chen Xiao couldn't recognize it.
"What is this?"
Chen Xiao looked at the half of the Stone Stele, which seemed ready to fall apart, and asked hesitantly.
"This is the treasure taken from the Nangong Family's vault." Seeing Chen Xiao speak, Shadow hurriedly answered. "A cultivator called Nangong Xiangluan was carrying this half of the stele as he fled. I punched through his Nascent Soul. This is his ring."
Then Shadow presented Nangong Xiangluan's Storage Ring to Chen Xiao.
Once its owner died, the Storage Ring became unclaimed property. Chen Xiao accepted it without much interest, then asked, "You're saying this is the treasure that the Nangong Family elder was willing to activate the array and wipe out every cultivator here to keep anyone from seeing?"
Chen Xiao blinked, asking curiously.
Although the half-stele looked ancient, there wasn't a trace of spiritual energy coming from its surface. If it were left by the roadside, no one would even spare it a second glance.