"Xiao Clan Chief, what masterful tactics!"
In the Xiao Clan's council hall, the head of the Otto Family, Wutan City's third-largest family, and several elders sat in the guest seats. Their eyes were filled with wariness, as though they were facing an unfathomable opponent.
Their wariness was hardly unfounded. For years, the three great families had maintained a delicate, shifting balance, restraining one another without encroaching on each other's territory. They carefully respected the boundaries, like tightrope walkers, none daring to upset that balance lightly.
Yet last night's events had been like a boulder hurled into a tranquil lake, shattering years of calm.
Although the Otto Family could not make out every detail, they had their suspicions.
After all, the Otto Family had entertained the same thoughts as the Jia Lie Family. Neither wanted the Xiao Clan, once their equal, to produce a Dou Wang or even a Dou Huang expert who would threaten their standing. The Jia Lie Family had merely acted first.
"Brother Otto, I don't understand what you're saying. The Xiao Clan was clearly the victim. What tactics could we possibly have used?"
With an innocent expression, Xiao Zhan washed his hands of everything, even putting on a show of sighing as though his clan had suffered tremendous losses. His acting was truly peerless.
The Otto Family's clan chief and elders watched with twitching faces. They hated Xiao Zhan's thick skin so much their teeth itched, wishing they could tear his face open and see just how shameless he could be.
"Clan Chief, the Jia Lie Family is at the gate."
The guard Payne entered to report, breaking the awkward atmosphere thick with the smell of gunpowder.
Xiao Zhan rose and exchanged knowing looks with the three elders. Together, they headed outside, ready to face this confrontation that would determine their clan's honor.
"Hahaha! Brother Jia Lie, have you been well? Come, come, let's link arms and have a friendly chat!"
The moment Xiao Zhan stepped outside, he burst into hearty laughter. He was so excessively welcoming that one might have thought his own father had come to visit. Anyone ignorant of the truth might well have been fooled by his appearance.
At the sight, a lump of pent-up fury lodged in Jia Lie Bi's chest. He loathed Xiao Zhan's hypocrisy and wanted to spit in his face, but he had more important matters to attend to and could only endure it.
"Where is my son!"
As expected, he entered alone, leaving the others waiting outside. Anxiety and worry shone in his eyes; all he wanted was to see his son as soon as possible.
Xiao Zhan shut his mouth and glanced around, searching for Xiao Qian. Although he had participated in the plan, he did not actually know where Xiao Qian had hidden Jia Lie Ao, which left him feeling somewhat uneasy.
"Right here."
Xiao Qian emerged from some corner, with Jia Lie Ao beside him, trussed up like a rice dumpling.
Jia Lie Ao was a miserable sight, wrapped tightly in hemp rope with only his eyes exposed, their gaze numb.
"Ao!" At the sight of his son, tears seemed to glimmer in Jia Lie Bi's eyes.
Then he snarled at Xiao Qian, "Untie him first. I need to make sure Ao is unharmed."
"Sure." Xiao Qian unwound the coils of hemp rope around Jia Lie Ao, leaving only his hands bound behind his back and his mouth gagged.
His movements were unhurried, as though he were doing something utterly inconsequential.
Jia Lie Bi tried to approach, but Xiao Zhan immediately blocked him. "Where are the marketplace deeds?"
"Here!" Jia Lie Bi viciously flung out three deeds, resentment showing in his eyes.
Then, while Xiao Zhan caught them and examined them carefully, he strode over and hauled Jia Lie Ao to his side with a swift, powerful motion.
He acted so decisively that the Xiao Clan's elders failed to stop him in time.
Xiao Qian stood beside Jia Lie Ao, very, very close to Jia Lie Bi. The atmosphere instantly tightened like a taut bowstring, ready to snap at a touch.
Xiao Xun'er hid behind the hall, a faint golden light flickering in her eyes, poised to erupt. She kept her gaze fixed on Xiao Qian, secretly gathering power in her hands, ready to act at the critical moment.
"Hahaha! The Xiao Clan certainly keeps its word. Then let this young brother Xiao Qian escort me to the gate!"
Jia Lie Bi suddenly made this demand and untied Jia Lie Ao. Without stopping to consider why his son had not said a word, he seized Xiao Qian's wrist with his other hand and dragged the two of them, one on either side, toward the Xiao Clan's gate.
"Let Xiao Qian go! Jia Lie Bi, you shameless scoundrel!" the Great Elder roared.
Jia Lie Bi gave a sinister smile. "Don't think I don't know what your Xiao Clan is planning. The moment I let my guard down, all four of you Da Dou Shi will surround me. How could I let you have your way!"
His eyes held vigilance and cunning; he believed he had seen through the Xiao Clan's plan.
"Bastard! I'm telling you, anyone else can be hurt, but not Xiao Qian!" Dou Qi surged throughout Xiao Zhan's body as he closed in.
His Dou Qi burned like flames, revealing his anger and anxiety. Yet his words only made Jia Lie Bi tighten his grip on Xiao Qian, for they further confirmed the boy's importance to the Xiao Clan.
"Heh, I knew you valued this little monster. Today, he'll be my protective charm!" Holding Xiao Qian hostage, Jia Lie Bi had already left the hall and reached the square.
He released Jia Lie Ao then, assuming his son would obediently hide behind him. After all, this was the Xiao Clan, and enemies were everywhere.
Xiao Xun'er slowly approached, sweat seeping into her palms. She was deeply anxious about Xiao Qian's safety, but she could not act rashly and could only wait for the right moment.
"That old Jia Lie fox still knows his tricks." The Otto Family delighted in the spectacle, munching sunflower seeds with happy crunches.
They treated it as a splendid performance, utterly oblivious to the brutality of this conflict.
Squish!
Just as Xiao Zhan and the Three Great Elders closed in, Jia Lie Bi reached the gate with Xiao Qian in his grasp. The instant one foot crossed the threshold and his vigilance relaxed ever so slightly... something unexpected happened!
A dagger silently plunged into Jia Lie Bi's back!
The sudden turn of events stunned everyone.
"Aah-!"
Jia Lie Bi screamed and looked back in disbelief. He saw Jia Lie Ao's indifferent expression and the short blade in his hand, blood dripping steadily from it. The scene was like a nightmare.
Everyone was dumbstruck, except Xiao Qian.
There was not a trace of surprise on his face. Everything was proceeding exactly as he had expected.
"Ao! You... how could you..."
The searing pain in Jia Lie Bi's body paled beside the shock in his heart. Bewilderment even appeared in his aging eyes.
He could not believe his own son would attack him. It was a devastating blow.
"Clan Chief, watch out-!"
At that very moment, a cold gleam appeared alongside a shout from a Jia Lie Family guard outside the gate.
Slash!
Xiao Qian struck. His claw swept past like lightning, its dazzling brilliance astounding everyone.
He retreated immediately after the strike, landing behind Xiao Zhan. His movements were crisp and clean, without the slightest hesitation.
Everyone stared at him blankly, their minds still struggling to catch up.
They could not believe that a boy with three-stage Dou Qi could deliver such a lethal strike at this crucial moment.
"Ugh..."
Jia Lie Bi clutched his neck and struggled to breathe, but no air entered his lungs. He knew he was finished.
He raised his head to look at Xiao Qian, then suddenly spat out blood, forcing out broken words. "Good... I never thought I'd fall... at the hands of... a little brat like you..."
His eyes were filled with resentment and hatred, but he no longer had the strength to turn back the heavens.
"But the one I hate even more..."
Squish.
He suddenly snatched the dagger from Jia Lie Ao's hand and stabbed viciously.
Rage and despair burned in his eyes. Before dying, he wanted to drag someone down with him.
Xiao Qian's gaze shifted, and Dou Qi flashed briefly in his hand. Jia Lie Ao, whose vital organs would otherwise have escaped the blade, swayed-and Jia Lie Bi drove the dagger straight into his heart.
It all happened too quickly for anyone to react.
"Ah... hhh..."
Jia Lie Bi was utterly shocked, but he had no strength left. As he fell, his eyes remained wide open, unable to close even in death.
Jia Lie Ao fell to the ground after him. Father and son's blood spread across the ground, forming a gruesome scene.
"Now that's truly a loving father and a filial son..."
Xiao Qian clapped softly, bringing everyone out of their stunned daze.
"Hiss."
Countless people secretly drew sharp breaths. They had known there would be a spectacle today, but never imagined it would turn into something this enormous.
The string of sudden reversals exceeded their imagination, leaving them profoundly shaken.
Many stole glances at Xiao Qian. Nothing unusual showed on the boy's calm face, as though he had not been the one to deliver that lethal strike.
Even with a sneak attack, bringing down a Da Dou Shi with three-stage Dou Qi was destined to become a legend told in Wutan City for years.
Besides, they could not shake the feeling that he had a hand in this entire chain of events...
"You planned all this from the start, didn't you? No wonder you warned me to watch out for kidnappers."
At some point, Xiao Yan had come to Xiao Qian's side. He gave him an odd look. "Because you'd already prepared to get kidnapped yourself, right?"
"My strength is still too weak. If I had the strength of a Da Dou Shi, I'd have washed the Jia Lie Family in blood long ago. Why would I need such troublesome schemes?"
Instead of answering him directly, Xiao Qian turned and walked away. "Uncle Xiao, I'll leave the rest to you."
He remained somewhat dissatisfied with his current strength. If he were stronger, he would not need so many schemes.
"Leave it to me!"
As though he had only just come to his senses, Xiao Zhan swept his hand out, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. "Kill!"
His voice rang out, filled with authority and murderous intent.
Battle cries suddenly erupted outside the Xiao Clan's gate. Countless Xiao Clan guards appeared from every direction. Prepared against the unsuspecting, they surrounded the Jia Lie Family's elite forces outside the gate in an instant.
The guards gripped their weapons, excitement and killing intent shining in their eyes as they prepared to fight for their clan.
Meanwhile, the Xiao Clan's three Da Dou Shi elders charged forward to surround and attack the Jia Lie Family's Da Dou Shi.
Battle erupted in an instant. War cries mingled with the clash of weapons, and the scene descended into chaos.
Xiao Zhan walked back, fixed his gaze on the Otto Family, and smiled coolly. "From this day onward, there will be no Jia Lie Family in Wutan City. The Otto Family has no objections, I trust?"
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