Xiao Yan's gaze drifted once more toward that "divine weapon" fashioned from his own front gate, shimmering with an eerie yellow light. A terrifying suspicion surfaced in his mind: No, surely not... Father wouldn't go that far...
Sure enough, Xiao Zhan's next words confirmed his suspicion. His father gazed intently at the door-panel "greatsword" beside the wall and nodded in satisfaction.
"This time, we have this big fellow! This is our Xiao Clan's front gate, bathed year after year in the yang energy of everyone passing through. It already carries the power to guard the home and ward off evil! And with its tremendous size and weight, its might must be extraordinary! If we use it against that evil spirit this time, we'll definitely beat its soul into oblivion. Guaranteed no rebound, no residue!"
Xiao Yan hurriedly tried to explain. "Father! Listen to me! This really isn't..."
He looked at his father's resolute eyes and Xiao Yi, who had already begun loosening his wrists. Every word caught in his throat, finally turning into a startled cry as he took to his heels! If I don't run now, when will I? That thing looks a hundred times more painful than that rotten lump of wood!
The youth's agile figure became a streak of black lightning as he sprinted for his life. But fast as he was, others were faster. Two figures darted out like phantoms from either side, and two large hands clamped onto his arms with the precision of iron pincers.
Xiao Yan looked back in terror. The ones holding him were none other than the First Elder and the Third Elder! Both elders wore complicated expressions blending helplessness, sympathy, and "the Clan Head's orders cannot be defied," yet their hands exerted every ounce of strength, pinning him firmly between