Chapter 56: The Eve of the Storm

  "Hmph, Duanmu Ou, at that time, all of our family's spiritual medicine was stolen, only your Duanmu family was left intact. Isn't it suspicious? For hundreds of years, which of the several major families in Lincheng and the City Lord's Manor dared to steal from us within a radius of thousands of miles? This is a challenge to our dignity. If we suspected your Duanmu family at that time, how could we not have taken any action? Wouldn't it make people think that the several major powers of Lincheng are easy to bully?" Zhao Mingfeng said in a low voice.

  "It's fine, since we initially suspected your family, the Duans, and the only evidence pointed to your family as well. As one of the major powers in Lincheng, we had to take action. At that time, we didn't dare to be 100% sure, so we only suppressed and annexed some of your smaller industries, without sending troops to attack your Duan family's main estate. This matter has already passed, so let's not mention it again, Master Duan. Now that we've found the real culprit, what's most important is discussing how to deal with the Ye family." The master of the Guo family, Guo Rite, said with a hint of apology on his face, but in his heart, he was coldly laughing. After all, it was just an excuse to annex the Duan family's industries back then. Now that they've already gotten what they wanted, how could they be expected to spit it out?

  "Duanmu family head, don't let a small matter damage the harmony between us. Those small industries are nothing to the Duanmu family anyway. Right now, our top priority is dealing with the Ye family. As for what you said, we'll discuss it later." City Lord Jiang Xingyun said, glancing at several people.

  Du Mu Ou's face turned iron green, if he could, he really wanted to rush up and spray these three guys in the face. Is there anything more shameless than this? It's simply a naked robber who swallowed the Du family's industry for no reason, and yet they still speak with such confidence.

  At first, the Zhao and Guo families, as well as the city lord's mansion, wanted to use this excuse to swallow up the Tanmu family's property. Tan Mu Ou had also expected this, but at that time he was the suspect, and the evidence pointed to him and the Tanmu family. Tan Mu Ou also found it hard to defend himself and could only suffer in silence. But now things are different, from the day Ye Chen showed off his incredible strength, they sensed something unusual.

  What made them most suspicious was Ye Chen's large long knife. When Ye Xun secretly found them at the beginning, he had described the length and width of that big knife, and inferred from this that the big knife in Ye Chen's hand was almost identical to the weapon used by the person who killed them when they went to Ying City to buy spiritual medicine.

  After a period of investigation, they have basically determined that the elixir was stolen by the Ye family, and the person who took action is undoubtedly Ye Wen Tian. The elders and leaders of the Ye family did not leave Lin City, only Ye Wen Tian's whereabouts are mysterious, who else could have such strength?

  The truth is now clear, and in terms of reason, the Zhao family, the Gou family, and the City Master's Mansion have already lost their argument. However, they still speak with a straight face and a haughty tone, almost causing Duanmu Ou to spit out old blood.

  "You... shameless!" Du Mu Ou's hair almost stood up in anger, and the veins on his forehead bulged, but he ultimately didn't turn against them, suppressing the flames of anger in his heart. He looked at the three coldly and said: "I can let bygones be bygones regarding your deliberate takeover of my Du Mu family's assets, but after annihilating the Ye family this time, our Du Mu family must get a larger share of their assets!"

  "Haha, this is natural. The head of the Duanmu family asked me to agree with Jiang Xingyun, and I'm sure the heads of the Zhao and Gou families won't object either." Jiang Xingyun burst out laughing and then said: "According to information, Ye Wentian has never appeared at the Ye family before, perhaps he briefly returned to the Ye family once after stealing our spiritual medicine last time. However, it can be confirmed that Ye Wentian is not in the Ye family during this period, which is the best opportunity for us to take action."

  The three family heads looked at each other, and they all saw a hint of apprehension in each other's eyes. After a brief moment of silence, Gu Ri De said in a deep voice: "We don't know when Ye Wen Tian will return. As for this person, we have been observing him for decades, but we can say that we understand very little about him. How strong is he? If he returns one day and finds out that the Ye family has been destroyed, do we have the ability to deal with it?"

  Duanmu Ou also nodded with Zhao Mingfeng, and they both cast their eyes on Jiang Xingyun. Although everyone inferred that the robbery of the spiritual medicine was done by Ye Wentian, but they had not thought about how to deal with the Ye family. Since Jiang Xingyun invited them over, he must have already come up with a plan.

  "Ye Wen Tian, no matter how strong he is, is just one person. Apart from him, the Ye family only has some elders and Ye Xiao Tian, whose strength is not bad, but they can't compare to any of your families' heritage. How strong is Ye Wen Tian? I think at most, he's only stepped into the Mortal Sea Secret Realm with one foot. Even if he's already entered the first stage of the Mortal Sea's turbulent boundary, it won't change the outcome of the Ye family's downfall."

  Jiang Xingyun's face was full of confidence, with a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes. "The dignity of our Great Chu Kingdom cannot be desecrated," he said. "A mere member of the Ye family dared to disturb the earth on the emperor's birthday. I have already reported this matter to the imperial city, and the king is very interested in the treasure on Ye Chen's body. He has dispatched a powerful expert from the Guardian Hall, who has experienced the first surge of the Naihe Secret Realm, to assist us. Even if Ye Wentian returns, it will be a dead end for him!"

  "Is what the castle owner said true?" The three family heads asked in unison with a shocked expression, uncertain.

  "Of course, as the master of this city, I wouldn't joke around. The Imperial City is too far away, and the strong ones from the Protector's Hall might not arrive for another month or two." Jiang Xingyun said calmly, "Before that, we'll first eliminate the Ye family. However, since the King of Chu wants the treasure on Ye Chen's body, this matter needs to be carefully planned, lest the Ye family burns everything and destroys the treasure along with it."

  "Since that's the case, we're willing to help the city master obtain the treasure on Ye Chen's body. At that time, I hope the city master will put in a good word for us in front of King Chu." The three family masters said simultaneously, making their attitude clear. For them, this was an opportunity that couldn't be missed. If they could win over King Chu's favor and gain his support, with just one sentence from him, they would be able to develop their families in Ying City, which was more prosperous and flourishing than Lin City, allowing their families to become even more prosperous.

  "Haha, that's great! If we can get Ye Chen's treasure, the King of Chu will definitely be overjoyed. At that time, under the king's generous favor, your three families will naturally have endless benefits." Jiang Xingyun burst out laughing.

  The three big families also burst out laughing, each with a heart as clear as a mirror. They were just using each other, Jiang Xingyun was using them as knives, and when the time came, they would have a fierce battle with the Ye family, the City Master's Mansion could preserve its strength, and the ones who suffered the most losses would be the high-ranking masters of the three big families. Meanwhile, the three big families were also using Jiang Xingyun to curry favor with King Chu.

  Of course, they certainly won't completely believe Jiang Xingyun, but they're also not afraid that he'll demolish the bridge after crossing the river.

  The strong of the Protecting Country Hall will also come, at that time, the destruction of the Ye family and the seizure of treasures will definitely be known to him. When he returns to the imperial city, can he not mention these things to King Chu?

  "Since that's the case, we'll go to the Ye family together tomorrow and force them to hand over Ye Chen. Once we get our hands on the treasure, we won't show any mercy and will wipe out their entire clan, leaving no one alive!" Jiang Xingyun's face was icy cold, his eyes filled with a fierce and ruthless glint. As he spoke, a chilling aura emanated from his body, causing the temperature in the grand hall to seem to drop.

  "Alright, since we're going to take action, we must eradicate the problem completely. Otherwise, it will inevitably lead to future troubles." Kou Hirot said coldly.

  Duanmu Ou also glanced at Jiang Xingyun, "Since we want to eradicate the problem, the city master should immediately order the closure of the city gates. This way, not a single member of the Ye family's main or side branches will be able to escape!"

  "That's natural." Jiang Xingyun sneered, his face gloomy and stern, "Wuji!"

  "At your service!" Zhao Wuji, a middle-aged man with a robust build and wearing thick armor, walked in quickly and knelt down on one knee to respond.

  "Pass on my order: starting from today, heavily guard and seal off Lin City, allow entry but no exit. Those who disobey will be killed on the spot!"

  "I will obey your orders!"

  Zhao Wujie hastily exited the grand hall, leading a group of generals to the four major city gates of Lincheng. Each of the east, south, west, and north gates had 1,000 elite soldiers guarding them, with several commanding generals having achieved eight-stage cultivation. Lincheng was sealed off like an iron cage, making it impossible for even a bird to fly out.

  The four gates were sealed off, and the city was suddenly thrown into chaos. Everyone's heart was filled with anxiety, wondering what the lord of the manor was going to do with such a big commotion. Some clever people immediately thought of the several forces within the city, fearing that this time it would be a turning point.

  The Ye family received the news in the first time, and Ye Xiao Tian, who had just taken the position of head of the household, looked serious and issued an order to let Lin Cheng, who was in charge of all the industries, and his disciples rush back to the Ye family's mansion.

  Lin City was shrouded in an invisible dark cloud, the tense atmosphere suffocating. Many people knew that Lin City was on the verge of a great change. Among several major families, no one knew which family would suffer greatly.

  At this time, Ye Chen had just returned to his own backyard, and he was unaware of everything in Lin City. At this moment, he was in a great mood, his strength had increased, and he had obtained the inheritance of the Chaotic Bloodline's secret technique. In just one month and a few days, his combat power had soared to a terrifying level.

  As soon as she entered the small courtyard, she saw Nang'er's delicate body dancing elegantly, like a butterfly fluttering its wings. Her figure moved incredibly fast, her pale hands flying back and forth, creating streams of air flowing around her. Every time she clapped her palms, there was a muffled sound, and Ye Chen could almost see the air in front of her palms rushing outwards when they struck, as if it had been shaken violently. Although there was no explosive sound, the soft power contained within was astonishing, leaving Ye Chen stunned.

  "Xiao Yatou has actually entered the 8th rank too." Ye Chen's face was full of incredulity, he discovered that Nang'er not only entered the 8th rank but also reached mid-8th rank, this speed is simply monstrous, even more abnormal than him.

  "No wonder the little girl's eyes were like that at the time..." Ye Chen sighed inwardly, he had actually fallen for Nang Er's trick, originally thinking he was a big bad wolf, but in the end he became a little sheep.

  "Ah, Master, you're back!" Nang'er exclaimed, discovering Ye Chen standing at the gate of the small courtyard and rushing over to him with a shout.

  Here with tears asking for fresh flowers, Monday's new book rankings are all up to you.