You Have Three Crimes

"Seven-Star Step!"

Qin Hao stepped along the Seven Stars, easily dodging the attack of a Tier 1 Low-Grade White Leopard Wolf. Then he flicked his right hand.

Swish!

A flash of sword light streaked past as the Iron Sword in his hand swept across the White Leopard Wolf's neck.

With a wet slash, the White Leopard Wolf howled, fell to the ground, and twitched a few times before going still.

Almost at the same instant, the Iron Sword slid back into its sheath with a clang.

"Seven-Star Step, perfected!"

"Sword-Drawing Art, perfected!"

A sharp gleam flashed in Qin Hao's eyes. "Less than half a month to perfect two Yellow Tier Mid-Grade Martial Skills. No one in Tianshui City's history has ever done that."

For the past half month, Qin Hao had pushed himself relentlessly, seeking out Monsters everywhere to hone his skills in battle.

He had even encountered a Tier 1 Mid-Grade Monster. After a fierce fight, it had met its end beneath his sword.

Compared to half a month ago, Qin Hao's strength had advanced by leaps and bounds.

He had perfected both Yellow Tier Mid-Grade Martial Skills.

"Today is the day of my match with Qin Fang."

"I've been gone for half a month. Who knows how Qin Gaochi and Qin Fang have been pressuring Father!"

"It's time to go back."

Qin Hao clenched his fists.

He cut off the White Leopard Wolf's sharp teeth and claws and tucked them into his pack. Then he sprang away, vanishing after a few bounds.

What Qin Hao did not know was that Liu Kuang had already returned to the Liu family in Tianshui City.

But Liu Kuang no longer looked the least bit high-spirited. His clothes were ragged and his hair hung loose and tangled, making him look like a beggar.

His aura, however, had grown even more ferocious.

In search of Qin Hao, Liu Kuang had ventured deep into the Ink Forest Mountains and killed many Monsters, leaving himself in a sorry state.

In the end, he had found nothing and could only return to the Liu family.

Also in the room were Liu Feng, lying paralyzed on the bed, and the Elder of Liu, Liu Chengfeng.

"Father, how is my younger brother?" Liu Kuang asked through clenched teeth.

"Feng'er's Dantian is shattered, and his legs have suffered crushing injuries. I'm afraid he'll never stand again," Liu Chengfeng said gravely.

Liu Feng's eyes were red. "It's all Qin Hao's fault! That trash, that bastard! I want him dead! I have to see him dead! Big Brother, you must avenge me. Tear him limb from limb! Make him unable to live and unable to die!"

Liu Kuang's face twisted with fury. "I couldn't find him in the Ink Forest Mountains. He probably returned to the Qin family long ago. Wait here, little brother. I'm going to the Qin family right now, and I'll bring you Qin Hao's head!"

"Stop!"

Liu Chengfeng barked, "The Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament is about to begin. You're not going anywhere!"

Liu Kuang snapped, "Then what about my brother's revenge?"

Liu Chengfeng snorted. "Qin Hao's match with Qin Fang is today. With Qin Fang's talent and Tier 3 Martial Soul, dealing with Qin Hao will be child's play. Qin Gaochi, the Qin family's Great Elder, plans to use the opportunity to expel Qin Hao and force Qin Yuntian to give up his position as Family Head."

"Once Qin Hao is expelled from the Qin family, there will be plenty of chances to kill him. What matters now is the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament. Kuang'er, you are the Liu family's most talented young member after Liu Ruoxue. You must place in the top three this time and enter the Myriad Phenomena Hall."

"Then the Liu family will have two Myriad Phenomena Hall Disciples. One day, we'll surpass the Qin and Chen families and become Tianshui City's foremost Lineage!"

"So you're going nowhere for now. Focus on cultivating. I've already spoken with the clan leader. The entire Lineage will put its resources behind you!"

Tianshui City had three great Lineages: the Qin, the Chen, and the Liu.

The three checked and opposed one another at every turn!

Lying on the bed, Liu Feng looked bitter and aggrieved. He regretted provoking Qin Hao. He regretted overestimating himself and trying to humiliate him.

Swallowing his frustration, Liu Feng said, "Big Brother, listen to Father. The Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament is only held once every three years. If you miss this one, you'll have to wait another three. You can avenge me after you enter the Myriad Phenomena Hall. When that time comes, I'll cut Qin Hao to pieces myself."

Liu Kuang drew a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. "Fine. Father, I want to know the moment Qin Hao is expelled from the Qin family."

Liu Chengfeng nodded. "I've already sent someone to the Qin family to find out what happens."

Liu Kuang looked at Liu Feng. "Don't worry, little brother. Once the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament is over, I'll let you kill Qin Hao yourself!"

The Qin family!

Almost every young member of the Qin family had gathered in the square.

At its center, Qin Fang stood like a dazzling star, the focus of every gaze!

"Young Master Qin Fang truly deserves to be called a genius with a Tier 3 Martial Soul. In just half a month, he's gone from the Early Stage of the third level of the Body Tempering Realm to the peak of the fourth!"

"There are still two and a half months until the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament. With Young Master Qin Fang's talent, he'll surely take a top-three place and enter the Myriad Phenomena Hall!"

"And that worthless Qin Hao actually challenged Young Master Qin Fang. He has no idea what's coming."

"Pah! Don't mention that trash. Just hearing his name makes me sick!"

The young Qin family members chattered among themselves, their gazes full of admiration as they looked at Qin Fang.

Qin Fang reveled in it.

Qin Hao had always overshadowed him, casting a shadow over his life. Now, at last, he could hold his head high.

Time passed, and soon it was noon.

Qin Fang grew impatient. He had waited all morning, yet Qin Hao still had not appeared.

"That trash must have realized he was bound to lose and run away!"

"Of course he did. Trash is trash. He doesn't even dare show his face."

Many people looked displeased.

Above the square, Qin Yuntian grew restless. He kept glancing into the distance, sometimes frowning, sometimes showing his worry.

Ever since Qin Hao had left a note half a month ago, he had vanished. Qin Yuntian had sent Liu Wei to look for him, only to learn that Qin Hao had gravely injured Liu Feng in Tianshui City. Liu Kuang had then pursued him, and neither had been seen since.

"That boy ran off to the Ink Forest Mountains without so much as a word." Qin Yuntian suppressed the turmoil in his heart.

Nearby, Qin Gaochi watched the crowd in the square. Seeing the young Qin family members grow restless, he gave a cold laugh.

"Great Elder, isn't it about time? Qin Hao probably died in the Ink Forest Mountains and won't be coming back. There's no need to wait any longer," said one of the elders seated beside Qin Gaochi.

"After today, the Great Elder will be our Qin Family Head. We hope you'll look after us."

"Exactly, exactly."

The others echoed the flattery.

Qin Gaochi smiled faintly and gave an almost imperceptible nod. "This match between Fang'er and Qin Hao was meaningless from the start. How could trash with a First-Grade Martial Soul possibly be a match for my son? It makes no difference whether he comes. Of course, it would be best if he did. We could strike him from the family register and drive him out of the Qin family on the spot! The Qin family does not support trash!"

With that, Qin Gaochi fixed his gaze on Qin Yuntian and thundered, "Qin Yuntian, how much longer do you intend to wait?"

"Are you going to make all these Qin family youths waste their time here waiting for a piece of trash?"

At his words, the square grew even louder.

"The Great Elder is right. This is a complete waste of time!"

"I heard that Liu Kuang of the Liu family chased that trash Qin Hao into the Ink Forest Mountains. Heh, Liu Kuang is no ordinary man. Qin Hao's probably dead in those mountains already!"

"I say we just declare Young Master Fang the winner!"

Qin Yuntian's heart sank. He had already promised Qin Gaochi that he would hand over the position of Family Head next year, yet Qin Gaochi still pressed him relentlessly, intent on forcing him out immediately.

"Qin Gaochi, don't push me too far!" Qin Yuntian's face turned ashen.

Qin Gaochi shot to his feet and roared, "Am I the one pushing too far, or are you? Qin Yuntian, today I call you to account for three crimes!"

"Your first crime: acting as you please! As the Qin Family Head, you gave our family's precious cultivation resources to that worthless son of yours!"

"Your second crime: refusing to distinguish right from wrong! Elder Zhao personally confirmed that my son possesses a Tier 3 Martial Soul, yet you, the Qin Family Head, not only ignored it but suppressed us!"

"Your third crime: drawing a salary while neglecting your duty! You occupy the position of Qin Family Head but do nothing it requires! What have you done for the Qin family these past two years?"

Qin Gaochi's voice rang across the square. "Qin Yuntian, are you fit to be our Qin Family Head?"

The entire square erupted.

"A man like that has no right to be our Qin Family Head!"

"Family Head, step down!"

No one knew who had first shouted it, but the crowd surged in response.

"Family Head, step down!"

"Family Head, step down!"

On the raised platform, Qin Yuntian's expression shifted from ashen anger to dejection and back again.

He had never imagined Qin Gaochi would force his hand today.

And there was no doubt that Qin Gaochi had succeeded.

But who still remembered all he had once done for the Qin family?

He had even been left with a lasting injury...

Qin Yuntian turned slightly toward the other side of the platform. An old man sat there, his eyes half-closed as though he had heard nothing. It was the Qin family's Grand Supreme Elder.

At the sight, Qin Yuntian felt even more desolate.

If not for that injury, he, Qin Yuntian, would still be the Qin family's strongest Warrior!

"I, Qin Yuntian, have served as Qin Family Head for more than twenty years. I can say with pride that I have not failed the Qin family! I have not failed our ancestors! I have not failed anyone here!"

"Since... this is what all of you have chosen, then I... have nothing more to say!"

A bitterness Qin Yuntian could not put into words welled up inside him. His lips trembled as he said, "I, Qin Yuntian, from this day forward, am no longer—"

"Wait!"

A low shout suddenly cut him off. Beyond the square, a young man carrying a pack on his back came walking toward them with steady steps.

The square erupted again.

The young man's arrival stirred the entire square, followed by peals of laughter and mocking cries.

"Qin Hao, you trash! You finally showed up!"

"Pah! You still have the nerve to come back to the Qin family!"

At the center of the square, Qin Fang stood on the arena platform. He froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Qin Hao, you're still alive? All the better. Today, in front of everyone in the Qin family, I'll grind you under my heel! You're fit for nothing but being my stepping stone!"