novelaction Chapter 131: All Those Who Purge Their House Are Executed; The City Lord Invites Them to Another Mee
Chapter 131: All Those Who Purge Their House Are Executed; The City Lord Invites Them to Another Mee
Inside the desolate and dilapidated mansion, Xing Cishu and his seventy-seven ronin are trapped in the "Four Fiends Absolute Domain Formation" set up by Master Chen, as if they were trapped in a death cage from which they could not escape.
Invisible spatial barriers rippled around the edges of the formation, like a giant hand firmly locking their way out. The abyss-like gravitational vortex in the center of the formation made it difficult for them to walk. Even if they tried to jump, it was like carrying a mountain. As for escaping by flying through the clouds, it had become an unattainable dream.
On the north and south sides, the Xuan Sha Yin Lei and Fen Tian Lie Yan, like the gaping maws of ferocious beasts, took turns subjecting them to a barrage of storms, constantly draining the magical power and physical strength of Xing Ci Shu and his group, causing them to gradually weaken.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hongyun and Ye Tingxiu led thirty-six secret guards from the Zhou family, precisely coordinating with the power of the formation to launch a merciless attack on the enemies trapped within.
In this contest where the odds were stacked against them, Xing Cishu and his men were like snowflakes falling under the scorching sun, vanishing in an instant.
As their last glimmer of life faded, they all fell, their corpses collected as cultivation resources, while their wandering souls fell into the hands of those who wielded weapons, used to feed the ferocious ghosts they controlled.
In this defiled and evil world, mortals are the resources for cultivation, as are cultivators who consume impure energy.
A deceased cultivator at the Devouring Fiend Realm can extract a valuable set of Four Fiend Fates.
The mortal monks who perish from the plague can also provide a set of valuable materials for advancement.
Its blood, flesh, bones, and soul are all cultivation resources that cultivators vie for.
After the battlefield was cleared, the group quietly returned to the treasure-hunting mission's residence.
As the sun set and dusk fell, the dining hall of the treasure-hunting mission's residence was brightly lit. Zhou Qingfeng and his five companions sat around the dining table, enjoying their dinner with laughter and conversation.
Xiao Hongyun said with a smile, "Old Zhou, I have successfully completed my mission. Chai Ronggui and Xing Cishu's gang have all been executed."
Zhou Qingfeng nodded and smiled, this outcome was entirely expected. With the Four Fiends' Absolute Domain Formation and the combined efforts of Zhou's thirty-six secret guards, it would be strange if Xing Cishu and his group didn't die.
Zhou Qingfeng asked, "Old Ye, how do you feel about getting your revenge?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Tingxiu's face lit up with delight, and he responded with a single, resounding word: "Awesome!"
Xiao Hongyun clicked his tongue: "Old Zhou, we could have ended the battle quickly, but Old Ye insisted that we cut Xing Cishu into a thousand pieces and extract his soul, which delayed us a bit and made us come back so late."
Zhou Qingfeng picked up his bowl and some food, and smiled faintly: "I promised him that I would help him get what he wanted. It's okay if it takes a little time. Anyway, it won't affect the overall situation."
Ye Tingxiu stood up, picked up his wine glass, drank it all in one gulp, and said with gratitude, "I am deeply grateful and need no thanks."
In Ye Tingxiu's heart, Zhou Qingfeng was the opponent he most wanted to defeat in his life, and also his most important friend and family member. No matter what Zhou Qingfeng wanted to do in the future, he would support him to the end.
Zhou Qingfeng stood up, patted his shoulder, and smiled slightly: "Sit down. There's no need for many words between brothers. You think of me, and of course I think of you too. In short, from now on, we brothers will work together, sharing both wealth and hardship."
Ye Tingxiu grasped Zhou Qingfeng's hand tightly and nodded emphatically, saying, "We'll share wealth and hardship."
Ye Tingxiu is sincere to people; to put it nicely, he is straightforward; to put it bluntly, he is sarcastic.
Apart from that, he really has no other bad habits.
He would do his utmost to help us as allies.
As a colleague, he wouldn't scheme against you behind your back.
As a brother, he would go to great lengths for you.
Once Ye Tingxiu has made up his mind about a person or a thing, he will never change it in his lifetime.
To have such a close friend in one's lifetime is Zhou Qingfeng's good fortune.
Zhou Qingfeng pulled Ye Tingxiu to sit down, looked around and said, "Fellow colleagues, I successfully signed an alliance with the Wei family, the Gu family and the Yuanmeng Organization at noon today. The overall situation is now settled, and the Jiang family can do nothing to me."
Upon hearing this, Jin Wei put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "Young Master, I'm afraid the Jiang family won't give up easily."
Zhou Qingfeng smiled faintly, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and said while eating, "We will definitely not give up. Let's see how the Jiang family makes their moves in the next few days. At most, there will be a result in three to five days."
The winter city was even colder at night, but the city lord's mansion was brightly lit.
In the back study, Jiang Li knelt on the ground and apologized to City Lord Jiang Xun, reporting on the failure of the mission.
As Jiang Xun listened to Jiang Li's report, his expression shifted from calm to astonishment, then to shock, and finally a rare hint of apprehension appeared in his eyes—apprehension at the abilities Zhou Qingfeng had demonstrated.
Jiang Li raised her head and looked at her grandfather on the throne. She said aggrievedly, "Grandpa, the Qiu Qilang and Du Jiulang I sent are perfect in terms of origin, identity and background."
"I simply can't understand why they were exposed? How exactly did Zhou Qingfeng find out?"
“It’s clear that Zhou Qingfeng and his group’s every move is under my close surveillance.”
"But he was able to silently identify the true identities of the two spies."
"And I hadn't even realized any of this, it's unbelievable."
Jiang Xun remained silent, unable to offer an answer. This was the terrifying aspect of Zhou Qingfeng, and also the part of Jiang Xun that he feared most. Even if he were in Zhou Qingfeng's shoes, he would probably lose.
"Ah Li, get up." Jiang Xun walked to his granddaughter, reached out to help her up, and comforted her, "This defeat was not due to a lack of skill, it's not your fault."
“Zhou Qingfeng is, after all, one of the four young masters of the Sword Tower, and he must possess some unknown secret power.”
"Nobody knows how many cards he has up his sleeve."
"In this game, you didn't even get a feel for his true strength."
"Zhou Qingfeng, the fourth young master of the Sword Tower, is unfathomable and truly terrifying."
Seeing this, Jiang Li breathed a slight sigh of relief. She was afraid that her grandfather would blame her without distinguishing right from wrong and remove her from the position of heir. Now that her grandfather had said so, it meant that the matter would be put aside for the time being.
Jiang Li clasped her hands and said, "Grandpa, Zhou Qingfeng must have signed an alliance with other forces now, greatly increasing his strength. The capital he holds is probably enough to rival ours. It will be difficult to control him now."
"And most importantly, we have no idea how many alliances he has signed. Even if we want to divide and conquer, we have no way to start. Grandpa, what should we do next?"
Jiang Li wasn't out of ideas, but rather, the question of what to do next had brought the Jiang family to a crossroads in their fate. This wasn't something she, as an heir, could decide alone; of course, she still needed to consult City Lord Jiang Xun and have him come up with a plan.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xun remained silent and paced back and forth in the back study.
The current strategic game, which is crucial to the overall situation, has already ended in defeat, and no amount of remedial action can help.
Zhou Qingfeng's momentum has been established, the situation has been reversed, and the dust has settled.
The Jiang family's attempt to secretly seize the treasure has been completely blocked.
If we want to continue fighting, we'll have to tear off all pretenses and put everything out in the open, engaging in a real, no-holds-barred battle.
How could the Jiang family possibly defeat the first family? If they could, why would they bother with such a roundabout way of seizing the treasure?
Jiang Li gazed at Jiang Xun in deep thought, waiting quietly. However, she suddenly remembered something, clasped her hands in a fist and said, "Grandpa, there is a small matter that I feel is necessary to report to you."
Jiang Xun paused, then calmly asked, "What is it?"
Jiang Li said, "Xing Cishu and Chai Ronggui disappeared mysteriously today. They were nowhere to be found, neither alive nor dead. I suspect that Zhou Qingfeng took the opportunity to eliminate them, since Chai Ronggui's identity is sensitive, as he is a judge of the Sword Tower."
"Zhou Qingfeng will definitely take the opportunity to clean house for Sword Tower and eliminate the traitors."
"Xing Cishu was mostly implicated and dealt with along with them."
Jiang Xun said indifferently, "Two useless people, they couldn't even keep an eye on people, they deserved to die."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li remained silent, lowering her head in quiet contemplation.
The study returned to silence, with only the sound of Jiang Xun pacing back and forth.
After weighing the pros and cons for a long time, Jiang Xun sighed deeply: "Alas, it's better to take a step back than to take a step forward now. Ah Li, invite Zhou Qingfeng to the manor tomorrow. I should have a good talk with him."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li clasped her hands in obedience and replied, "Yes, Master."
Time flies, like a white horse galloping past a crack, and in the blink of an eye, it is already the next morning.
Jiang Li, accompanied by several attendants, went to Zhou Qingfeng's residence to formally extend an invitation, requesting him to come in for a detailed discussion.
Zhou Qingfeng was slightly surprised to receive the invitation from City Lord Jiang Xun.
According to his prediction of the situation, Jiang Xun should weigh the situation for several days before making a compromise. Unexpectedly, the city lord demonstrated a flexible and strategic vision overnight and quickly adjusted his strategy.
Zhou Qingfeng, accompanied by the old cripple and Jin Wei, stepped into that familiar and solemn mansion once again.
They walked through the courtyard corridor and arrived at the spacious courtyard where they first met.
Not far away, Jiang Xun, wearing a fur coat, sat alone in front of the chessboard, exuding a rather lonely air.
Upon reaching the middle of the courtyard, Jiang Li politely stopped the old cripple and Jin Wei, saying softly, "Please wait here for a moment. My father wishes to speak with Young Master Zhou alone."
Jin Wei hesitated, but Zhou Qingfeng raised his hand to reassure him. Then he walked slowly towards the distant Jiang Xun alone.
Jiang Li then looked at the old cripple with interest, leaning against a pillar in the courtyard, and asked playfully, "Hey, what's your name?"
Jin Wei was momentarily confused, then pointed to himself: "Me? My name is Jin Wei."
Jiang Li glared at him, slightly reproachful: "I wasn't talking to you. Stop interrupting. If you bother me again, I'll teach you a lesson."
Then, Jiang Li turned her gaze to the old cripple again, her eyes sparkling with curiosity: "I'm talking to you, why aren't you answering?"
The old cripple deliberately lowered his voice and said evasively, "Young Master Jiang Li, I am an old man in my twilight years and have long forgotten my own name. You can just call me Old Cripple."
Jiang Li frowned slightly, seemingly lost in thought, when she couldn't get his real name: "I feel like you look a lot like someone I know, but I just can't remember who it is."
The old cripple was startled and quickly covered it up by coughing a few times. He replied calmly, "I am just a country bumpkin. How could I possibly have the honor of knowing you? You must have misremembered."
Jiang Li, however, refused to believe it and circled around the old cripple, observing him closely. It wasn't until the old cripple subconsciously touched his buttocks out of discomfort that she suddenly remembered someone.
She pointed at the old cripple as if suddenly realizing something, and said in a serious tone, "Oh, I remember now, it was you, Liao Huaizhen!"
The old cripple's expression changed slightly, and he was secretly surprised that she could still recognize him in his current state.
Jiang Li stared straight at him, then flashed a bright smile: "Long time no see."
Caught off guard, the old cripple had been mentally prepared to be beaten, but seeing that Jiang Li showed no anger and instead smiled, he felt quite uneasy: "Aren't you angry?"
Jiang Li laughed and said, "I was indeed angry before, thinking that if I met you again, I would definitely teach you a lesson. Back then, I took a liking to you and wanted you to marry into my family, but you rejected me. To avoid me, you even chose to run away. I was so angry that I couldn't sleep for a whole year."
"But now that I'm older, I understand that love and marriage are about mutual affection and cannot be forced."
"And you at least have a conscience; you didn't take advantage of my feelings for you to bully me."
Upon hearing this, the old cripple relaxed slightly: "Jiang Li, I was surprised to see you being so understanding."
Jiang Li patted the old cripple's arm with a smile, then changed the subject: "This is not about being reasonable. I just feel much better seeing you in this miserable state. I suddenly feel lucky that I didn't end up with you back then, otherwise I would regret it now."
The old cripple was speechless and extremely embarrassed.
Seeing this, Jiang Li not only did not restrain herself, but continued to rub salt into the wound: "Liao Huaizhen, you were so handsome and outstanding back then, how did you become such an unsightly person in just seven years? Tell me quickly, how did you become like this, so that I can have some fun too."
The old cripple looked annoyed and said, "Jiang Li, do you find it amusing to gloat like this?"
Jiang Li pointed at the old cripple, then turned to Jin Wei and mocked, "See? When old friends meet and exchange a few pleasantries, he gets anxious, he gets anxious."
Jin Wei's lips twitched, and he could only endure it, reminding Jiang Li: "Young Master Jiang Li, please know when to stop. Mr. Liao is a master that our young master specially invited, and he is also the master's sister's teacher. Please don't go too far."
Jiang Li stood with her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest, defiantly saying, "I've gone too far, so what? What are you going to do about it? Bite me?"
Jin Wei pointed at Jiang Li angrily, but dared not utter the words "old wicked woman".
The old cripple gently patted Jin Wei's back, signaling him not to get angry, then looked at Jiang Li expressionlessly: "I'll accept whatever you want to do about the past, just please don't involve other people."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li smiled and helped the old cripple straighten his collar, saying with a chuckle, "I won't hit you or scold you. Just live well, and please don't commit suicide, okay?"
Jiang Li is very happy that Liao Huaizhen has now become a lame, bald, and hunchbacked old man, and hopes that Liao Huaizhen can live on in this miserable state of old age and disability.
Only in this way can the resentment in one's heart be vented.
Right below the courtyard, Zhou Qingfeng and City Lord Jiang Xun were focused on their chess game, the black and white pieces locked in fierce combat, resulting in a closely contested situation.
Zhou Qingfeng remained calm as he placed a piece and asked unhurriedly, "Uncle Jiang, besides playing chess, is there anything else important that you invited me here today?"
Jiang Xun smiled faintly: "Nephew, in my opinion, our two families have been friends for generations. With my help, why go to the trouble of seeking cooperation with those folk cultivators? I am very sincere in my willingness to explore the treasures of Xiyi with you."
The way out that was prepared for Zhou Qingfeng beforehand has now been used by Jiang Xun himself.
It must be said that life is unpredictable...
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng politely declined, saying, "Uncle Jiang, I'm really sorry, but the quota for this excavation of the Xiyi Treasure is already full, and all the treasure's share has been allocated. It's really difficult to squeeze out another spot."
"If you had told me yesterday morning that there were still spots available, there really aren't any left today."
"Next time, if there's another opportunity, I'll definitely give priority to cooperating with Uncle Jiang."
Jiang Xun calmly placed his piece and said lightly, "Nephew, since I became the city lord, I have succeeded in everything I do. Of course, there are things I cannot do, but if I cannot do them, no one else can either."
Zhou Qingfeng raised an eyebrow slightly, understanding the deeper meaning in Jiang Xun's words, so he simply said, "Uncle Jiang, since you've put it this way, let's speak frankly."
"Do you really think I'll share a piece of the pie with you, given what your Jiang family has done to me behind my back? If you insist on ruining my plans, I'm not someone to be trifled with. If you don't believe me, we can try."