In the capital of the Jia Ma Empire, the Holy City of Gamma, a bustling metropolis with a daily influx and outflow of people reaching quite a terrifying number, today, the atmosphere of this flourishing city was particularly oppressive, with a faint sense of impending doom. This sensation was naturally emanating from the sudden announcement by the Mitel Family to temporarily close all their auction houses and shops. The actions of one of the three major families of the empire undoubtedly indicated that a significant trouble was about to fall upon them.
There were many well-informed individuals in the civilian population, and therefore, rumors had already begun to circulate, suggesting that the Yun Lian Sect had intentions to wipe out the Mitel Family. Upon the spread of these rumors, they immediately caused a stir in the city. In recent years, everyone in the Jia Ma Empire had clearly seen the increasingly dominant and arrogant behavior of the Yun Lian Sect. Moreover, in the Jia Ma Empire, besides the royal family, only the Yun Lian Sect, located not far from the capital, had the authority to make even the now-leading Mitel Family, who had become the foremost among the three major families, so cautious.
Just as rumors ran rampant throughout the city, at the Mitel Family’s headquarters in the southern part of the city, the atmosphere was particularly tense. Hurried figures moved back and forth within the estate, with all guards being recalled from other locations to fortify the defense of the estate. In the dark, countless arrowheads gleamed menacingly, positioned restlessly throughout the grounds, ready to be launched at any uninvited guests in an instant!
As figures flitted about the estate, in the spacious main hall at its center, the atmosphere was also quite grim. Those present were all core members of the Mitel Family. However, at this moment, most of their faces were somewhat unsightly. Naturally, in the Jia Ma Empire, no matter who suddenly became the target of the Yun Lian Sect, it would be difficult for them to show much of a smile.
“Ya Fei, is it true that the Yun Lian Sect intends to strike against our Mitel Family?” A senior elder in the hall, his brow deeply furrowed, asked in a low, hoarse voice.
Upon hearing the elder’s question, all eyes in the hall turned to the beautiful woman seated at the head of the table. Her enchanting face was filled with seriousness. Facing the attention of the crowd, she nodded slightly, saying, “Elder, this news is indeed true. Within the next two days, the Yun Lian Sect will likely make their move!”
Even though they had some idea of the answer, many people in the hall still paled when Ya Fei confirmed it. The old man, known as Great Elder, had a face that was somewhat familiar. Upon closer inspection, it turned out he was the former patriarch of the Mitel Family, Gam Tengshan. However, based on how Ya Fei addressed him, it seemed that he had relinquished the position of patriarch sometime during the last three years…
After Ya Fei’s reply, Gam Tengshan sighed heavily. In this nearly desperate situation for the family, he fell into silence. “This is all because of those Xiao family members! If we hadn’t helped them, we wouldn’t have offended the Yun Lian Sect, and we wouldn’t be in this mess today!” Under the pressure of the Yun Lian Sect’s name, a sharp voice suddenly cut through the tension, and as soon as it ended, it was followed by several agreeing voices. Evidently, faced with imminent disaster, they could no longer suppress their inner thoughts.
“Silence!” Hearing the commotion in the main hall, Gam Tengshan immediately flew into a rage, slamming his hand hard on the table. The sudden loud noise frightened everyone into closing their mouths.
After silencing the crowd, Gam Tengshan glanced at the man sitting calmly in a wheelchair beside him, then looked toward Hai Bodong, who, with his eyes closed but a chilly expression, sat next to Ya Fei. Letting out a bitter laugh, he said, “Mr. Xiao Ding, I apologize for the rude behavior of my clansmen.”
Upon hearing Gam Tengshan’s words, Xiao Ding merely smiled and shook his head, his gaze sweeping slowly over the faces of the others. Anyone who made eye contact with him couldn’t help but avert their gaze after a moment. Although this man’s legs were crippled, for some reason, when people looked at the face that always wore a faint smile, a chill rose in their hearts.
The near destruction of his family and the crippling of his body, enough to drive an ordinary person insane, yet this man showed no sign of emotion, as if he had no feelings at all… Such a person truly was quite terrifying.
“Great Elder Tengshan, this matter does indeed have something to do with my Xiao family…” Xiao Ding gave a faint smile, his eyes flicking over to Gam Tengshan, “If the Yun Lian Sect really intends to strike the Mitel Family, you can hand me or half of the Xiao family members over, and then claim that this is all the remaining members of the Xiao family. Please secretly arrange for the others to leave. The Xiao family has suffered a great calamity, and we must preserve a trace of our bloodline!”
Many people in the hall were stunned by Xiao Ding’s words. Seeing the smile on his face, they felt an even greater chill. This was a ruthless plan, to say the least.
Gam Tengshan’s eyelids twitched at Xiao Ding’s words, and he gave the latter a deep look. He thought to himself, “Although he is young, he possesses an absolute rationality. With such talent, the Xiao family needn’t worry about prospering. But, alas…”
“Xiao Ding, rest assured, no one will turn you over. Even if it means risking my life and putting half of the Mitel Family at risk, I will keep you safe!” A cold voice suddenly sounded, and when everyone looked up, they saw that Hai Bodong had opened his eyes at some point. His slightly blue pupils were flashing with cold light, and anyone who had any objections found themselves swallowing their words under that intense gaze.
“Hai Lao…” Xiao Ding was taken aback, and for the first time, his eyes, which were normally as calm as an ancient well, betrayed a hint of emotion. He knew that if it weren’t for Ya Fei and Hai Bodong’s tireless efforts, the Xiao family would have long lost their shelter. But he had never expected that, even at this stage, Hai Bodong would still stubbornly hold on, even willing to sacrifice half of the Mitel Family.
“Hai Lao, are you still waiting for my third brother to return…” Xiao Ding sighed bitterly, and at this moment, even he had no great confidence. Perhaps, he could only place his hopes on Xiao Yan’s return in the future to avenge the blood debt of the Xiao family.
“Ha ha, I have confidence in that boy…” Hai Bodong laughed, then shot a glance at Gam Tengshan, and snorted, “You people are always shortsighted. Do you really think the Yun Lian Sect is targeting the Mitel Family just because of the Xiao family? You are not unaware of their movements over the years. They aim to cleanse the three major families and the royal family of the empire, and you should see who among them will remain untouched!”
Gam Tengshan fell silent, then let out a bitter sigh. He knew full well that the Yun Lian Sect was trending towards cleansing the power factions of the empire. However, if they could delay this day, that would be good enough… But although he thought this way, he dared not speak it out. Hai Bodong was the true patriarch of the family, and his contributions to the success of the Mitel Family were unquestionable, so even he did not dare to argue with him. Of course, if it weren’t for Hai Bodong’s high prestige in the Mitel Family, even with Ya Fei’s capabilities, it would have been difficult for her to take the helm of the family.
“What should we do now? Should we seek help from the Mu Family, the Nalan Family, or the Alchemists’ Guild, or perhaps the royal family?” Gam Tengshan lamented.
“No use.” Ya Fei shook her head, her delicate fingers tapping lightly on the table. Her clear eyes swept over the hall, “The strength of the Yun Lian Sect is too powerful; even they don’t dare to provoke them. If they truly wanted to help, they would send someone without us even asking. If they don’t want or dare, no matter how much we plead, it will be in vain.”
“Then… Are we just going to wait here for death?” Some people in the hall couldn’t help but express their thoughts.
Ya Fei raised her gaze and turned to Gam Tengshan, “Great Elder, preparing for the worst, I have secretly sent some of the younger members of the Mitel Family out of the capital to preserve our bloodline. But if it comes to that, we will have no choice but to fight to the death, aside from surrendering!”
“Ah, you are indeed far-sighted, having prepared a backdoor for the family. But such a situation would be too dire,” Gam Tengshan remarked, seemingly just learning about it.
“Surrender… I don’t believe that will lead to a good outcome,” someone murmured.
Before Tengshan could reply, a loud explosion, like a thunderclap, erupted in the sky above the Holy City of Gamma.
The continuous rumbling drew the attention of the entire city upward. In the region where the sound originated, a cloud formed by energy began to condense, and beside it, a sword radiating a sharp sword aura pierced straight into the cloud.
“This is the Yun Lian Sect’s signal…” Looking at the special energy mark in the sky, the whole city burst into exclamations. More sensitive individuals were horror-stricken. Was the Yun Lian Sect really going to take action against the Mitel Family?
Within the Mitel Family, many who had rushed out of the hall saw the mark in the sky, and their faces turned pale.
“Mitel Family, hand over the remnants of the Xiao family, or else, the extermination of your family will take place today!” Shortly after the appearance of the energy mark, a cold, indifferent voice echoed across the Holy City of Gamma, carried by the vast and robust dou qi.
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