After plundering the treasury of the City Lord's Residence, Wenlong headed into the rear courtyard to find the City Lord's room. The main residence could hardly have been more conspicuous, and he found it in no time.
The City Lord's Residence had quite a few Guards, but Wenlong moved through it as though no one were there. Despite how long he had been inside, not a soul had detected him.
Martial artists of this caliber had actually dared to challenge the Huaxia Sect. They had practically traveled a thousand miles to deliver their own heads.
Seeing that the appointed time was approaching, he turned his attention to business. He easily killed the City Lord with the Shadowless Needle, then went off to ambush the Guards.
After Shitou and his men silently killed the Guards at the entrance, they entered the City Lord's Residence. Inside, they found utter silence, without the slightest sign of life.
Shitou and the others wondered whether they had come to the wrong place. How could it be so quiet? They exchanged bewildered looks.
Just then, a chuckle came from within. Shitou understood at once. Who else could that familiar voice belong to but Wenlong?
One of his companions said, "Third Young Master, it's already over?" He still found it unbelievable.
"Hehe, rendezvous with the men sent to assassinate the leaders elsewhere. Brother Shitou, where's Wen Tie? Find him, and we'll leave Brightlight City immediately," Wenlong said with a smile.
Wenlong led the way, scanning with his Mental Power to guard against arrows fired from hiding. The squad members followed behind him. Any City Guards they encountered met their deaths under a barrage of Crossbow Bolts.
At the eastern gate, Shitou counted everyone again. Once he confirmed that no one was missing, they quickly left Brightlight City.
Carriages had already been prepared beside a small hill. Before leaving, Wenlong did not forget to scan their surroundings with his Mental Power.
Finding nothing unusual, they boarded the Carriages and swiftly vanished into the night.
The next day, all the squad members who had gone into battle returned to the Huaxia Sect. Completing the mission without a single casualty was the greatest success of all.
Their excellent equipment had made such results possible. They had also fought several times before, and their combat experience helped them avoid many dangers.
Wenlong rested for a day, then entered the Secret Passage again to practice martial arts and study medicine.
Following Wenlong's wishes, Huaxia Village would be upgraded into a city. Large numbers of slaves entered Huaxia City to begin building its walls and the City Lord's Residence.
The commercial street was also being expanded, while roads were under construction throughout the city. Many craftsmen had been hired for the work, and Wenlong had already handed over the designs.
All construction would follow the plans, which combined ancient and modern elements. The defensive works were considerably more advanced than those of other cities.
In Wan Family Town, members of the Kai Lineage kept moving away. The once-mighty Lineage of over ten thousand now numbered fewer than five thousand.
If this continued, even fewer might remain. Those who stayed lived in constant dread, afraid that someone would attack again.
One Clan Chief after another had died. Anyone who took the position could not know whether he would be the next to die.
The respected members of the Lineage gathered for a meeting. They discussed what to do next: carry on, or move the entire Lineage out of Wan Family Town.
Most importantly, they still did not know where their enemy had come from. None of the people sent out to investigate had ever returned.
Even if they found the enemy, they had failed to defeat them when they had so many people. Could they possibly succeed now that their numbers had dwindled?
If there was truly no other way, the entire Lineage would leave. With the autumn harvest about to begin, they finally decided that everyone would leave Wan Family Town after the New Year.
Naturally, every move the Kai Lineage made was clearly observed by the scouts Shitou had deployed.
When the news reached Shitou, he gave a cold laugh. "Looks like we can't let them enjoy peace for too long. Has the Third Young Master come out of seclusion? Let me know when he does."
As Shitou had hoped, Wenlong had only just come out of seclusion. He had finished bathing at home and was eating.
In the Secret Passage, he had lived on dry rations and the water he had brought with him whenever he was hungry. He had long been yearning to come home and eat a piping-hot meal.
Wenlong had just picked up his rice bowl when Shitou barged in. Without standing on ceremony, he fetched a bowl and filled it himself.
"Brother, did you time your arrival? How are you so punctual? We've only just started eating, and here you are," Wenlong said with a smile.
Shitou paid no attention to any of that and simply shoveled down his food first. Seeing this, Wenlong immediately dug in as well.
Wen Tie and Wen Hua hurriedly picked up their eating pace too. Wen Tiancheng watched them scramble for food with a delighted smile.
Long'er's mother scolded them with a laugh. "Look at you, acting as though we have no food at home. There's no need to rush. If there isn't enough, I'll cook more."
Before long, everyone was full. They rubbed their bellies and looked at one another, then burst out laughing.
"Uncle Clan Chief, the Kai Lineage's population has now fallen by more than half. Most have moved away, and I reckon those who remain will run off after the autumn harvest too." With the Clan Chief present, Shitou naturally would not address this matter to Wenlong.
He could only speak to Wen Tiancheng. Before his father could reply, Wenlong said, "Brother, don't worry. If they want to leave, let them."
Wen Tiancheng grew agitated and immediately cut him off. "What? We haven't avenged ourselves yet, and you're just letting them leave?"
Wenlong looked helpless. "Father, I wasn't finished. Could you please hear me out?"
His father's anger had yet to subside. Avenging their blood feud was their highest priority; how could it be treated as a joke? Every person killed by the Kai Lineage had been one of his closest kin.
His parents and his uncles, the older generations reaching back to his grandfather, and even his own two sons, barely in their teens.
Sparing the Kai Lineage was absolutely impossible. There was no room for discussion. At the thought, two trails of tears slipped from the corners of Wen Tiancheng's eyes.
Seeing his father like this, Wenlong softened his voice. "Father, don't worry. They won't get away. Even if they leave, someone will still be watching them. How far do you think they can run?"
So that's what you meant. You brat, say the whole thing in one go! He wiped away his tears and regained his usual dignity.
"Uncle Clan Chief, rest assured. I've already sent the Scout Squad to keep close watch on every move the Kai Lineage makes. They won't get away," Shitou hurriedly added.
"Brother, form the Combat Force immediately after the autumn harvest. Recruit at least five hundred people from the populations of Huaxia City and the Huaxia Sect." Wenlong looked toward Shitou.
"All right, understood. I'll make sure the force is properly trained too," Shitou replied.
Wenlong turned to Wen Tiancheng. "Father, give Seventh Uncle instructions to produce more than five hundred Crossbows and twenty thousand Crossbow Bolts as soon as possible."
Wen Tiancheng knew his son was planning a war to wipe out the entire Lineage. Excitement surged through him, and he slapped the table with his large hand and stood.
"I'll do as you say. If it means avenging this blood feud, I'll do anything." Wen Tiancheng was so excited that his whole body trembled slightly. He had waited year after year to fulfill this wish.
"Father, what kind of bad habit is that? You're always slapping the table so loudly. You're the Clan Chief, so no one else dares say anything. Composure, keeping a low profile-do you understand?" Wenlong said unhappily.
"I got excited! So what? So what? This is how I like to do things. If you've got a problem with it, you brat, swallow it!"
Wen Tiancheng knew his behavior was improper, but how could he admit weakness in front of his son? If I listen to you about everything, am I still your father?
Before you continue