Chapter 348 - Chapter 348: Chapter 68: The End! Zhantian Cuts Off the Celestial Being's Arm (Requesting Monthly Tickets)_4

Chapter 348: Chapter 68: The End! Zhantian Cuts Off the Celestial Being’s Arm (Requesting Monthly Tickets)_4

“Boom!”

Amidst a shower of sparks, Huangfu Deyun was struck dead with a single slap. His body was even set ablaze, turning into a pile of ashes.

It’s true that Huangfu Deyun may not have expected the blow from Old Ancestor Hua Ye, nor dared to resist due to instinctual fear. However, it showcased the unfathomable strength of Old Ancestor Hua Ye.

A cultivator of the early stage of the Spirit Platform Realm, was obliterated by a single slap!

The other two heavenly realm cultivators at the scene watched everything with wide eyes but did not intervene. After all, the former Ma Huangfu Family was a branch of the Huangfu Family of Changning. In some sense, it could be considered an internal matter.

However, this incident would likely lead to strong suspicions of covering up a murder.

The scene fell into silence.

Some remained calm and composed. Others wore expressions of fear.

Only Xu Anbang, the head of Xu Family, let out a sigh, as if to add insult to injury, “Brother Deyun died too fast. It now may be difficult to track down the puppet master. Old Ancestor Hua Ye was too impulsive. Has he not severed the clues?”

Lei Yangyu, the head of Lei Family, mocked, “Brother Xu, you’re mistaken. That a traitor working with the evil Yinsha has emerged from our own family bloodline, it is already difficult for Old Ancestor Hua Ye to kill him out of righteousness. This clearly shows that the puppet master has absolutely no connection to the Heavenly Huangfu Clan.”

“You insolent brats!” Hua Ye’s Old Ancestor’s face darkened, filled with anger, “You dare speak without respect! Even if your own ancestors were in front of me, they wouldn’t dare be so audacious…”

Old Ancestor Hua Ye might be old, but he had led a smooth and successful life with no one daring to oppose him. His temper was not one to be trifled with.

Huangfu Jinhuan also recovered from his shock, breaking into a cold sweat, hurriedly advised, “Old Ancestor, please calm your anger, we failed to lead our branch families well, idle chatter is normal. Please do not take offense at their words.”

The meaning behind his words was that they should put the public murder behind them and let everything settle before going through with the investigation, else they might fall into the traps of their enemies.

“Hmph!” After today’s tumultuous events, Old Ancestor Hua Ye’s face was covered, he bowed slightly towards Xiahou Hongde and Fang Youan, “I apologize for subjecting you to such an awkward situation. I’m feeling unwell, so I shall take my leave.”

With that, Old Ancestor Hua Ye, feeling too ashamed to remain at the scene, left.

Once he left, the dust seemed to settle.

Xiahou Hongde’s stance was consistent, everything proceeded according to law and evidence; though Huangfu Deyun was dead, with ample evidence, some key figures in the former Ma Huangfu Family would inevitably be implicated.

He immediately ordered, “Zhou Zhenwu, Wang Dingzu, hear my order. I assign the two of you in charge of this case. Ensure that procedures are upheld and law is adhered to. Arrest and interrogate those who should be.”

“Understood, City Lord.”

Zhou Zhenwu and Wang Dingzu acknowledged the orders and went to carry out their task.

With Xiahou Hongde’s final word, there was no chance of survival for the former Ma Huangfu Family.

All the banquet attendees, having lost their festive moods, started leaving.

The once lively main residence of the Huangfu Family suddenly became desolate.

The emptiness bore a mournful feeling, as if everyone had vanished.

…

On the wide road.

A carriage moved slowly, carrying Wang Shouzhe and Xu Anbang.

Once they were in this private carriage, Xu Anbang shed his disguise and excitement seeped through his veins, “Shouzhe, we scored a full victory this time. We took down the villains of the Yinsha Sect and the former Ma Huangfu Family. After all this, the reputation of Huangfu Family of Changning is ruined. Who would dare trust them again? The Huangfu Family has become barren. Haha, did you see the look on Huangfu Jinhuan’s face at the end? It was quite a spectacle.”

“Fifth Uncle, have a sip of spiritual tea to calm down first.” Wang Shouzhe leisurely brewed a pot of spiritual tea, pouring a cup for his uncle. “Even though the minions have been eradicated, we can’t underestimate the Heavenly Huangfu Family.”

Wang Shouzhe was excited about their successful plan but having experienced storms in his life, he remained cool-headed.

“Afraid of them?” Xu Anbang took a sip of spiritual tea, full of spirit, “When our several Grade Eight Families unite, our combined strength is greater than theirs. Moreover, our family’s Old Ancestor Beichen is only a half-step away from the Heavenly Realm.”

For hundreds of years, the Xu Family of Changning has been suppressed by the Huangfu Clan, always being the perennial third-in-command of Changning’s guards. Now, the Xu Family finally has the chance to break free from the influence of the Huangfu Clan. How could Xu Anbang not be excited?

Today’s victory was indeed resounding, but it was part of a grand strategy that Wang Shouzhe had been plotting for years. Thus, the interim triumph was only expected. However, dealing with the now-incensed Huangfu Clan of Changning would likely be no easy task.

“Wait, isn’t this Spiritual Tea mine?” Xu Anbang had been drinking the tea and finding it more and more agreeable. Upon closer inspection, it seemed like this was his carriage!

This prompted a mix of laughter and tears from him. That Shouzhe, he really knew how to play the host in others’ homes. He had been momentarily inattentive and mistook this to be Shouzhe’s carriage.

Just then…

From outside the carriage, an amiable voice belonging to Lei Yangyu of the Celestial Lei Family rang out, “Brother Anbang, Brother Shouzhe, may I join you in the carriage for a chat?”

Lei Yangyu was one of the only two clan leaders among Changning’s Celestial Families. His position was in no way inferior to Huangfu Jinhuan’s, and he was a highly influential figure in Changning.

Such a distinguished individual…

Naturally, Xu Anbang and Wang Shouzhe couldn’t afford any discourtesy. They hurriedly descended from the carriage to invite him in and, with polite greetings, served him some Spiritual Tea.

As the trioa exchanged pleasantries, their relationship grew noticeably warmer after three rounds of tea.

It was then Lei Yangyu smiled at Xu Anbang. “Congratulations, Brother Anbang. Add the previous Huangfu’s enormous efforts to sabotage and seize your workshop’s technology, we can see your technology must be top-tier in Longzuo County. Well, I must say, you’ve kept it well-hidden all this time, only revealing your hand at the crucial moment. Your family’s rise is surely imminent.”

“Brother Yangyu, we were merely fortunate,” Xu Anbang hurriedly replied in modesty. “Had the Huangfu Clan not been so oppressively relentless, why would our Xu Family resort to such measures?”

There was an agreement between the Xu and Wang families to proclaim externally that silk-reeling technology was independently developed by the Xu Family, slyly shouldering the unnecessary controversy on behalf of the Ping’an Wang Family.

Regarding Lei Yangyu, Xu Anbang didn’t deny they had premeditated tonight’s battle.

After all, every major family was astute. Any discerning observer would have realized that today constituted a public, high-stakes duel between the families of the Huangfu and Xu clans.

In the end, Xu simply outwitted their competition.

Denying it outright would only leave an impression of insincerity.

“In the end, the previous Huangfu and Yinsha Sect’s collusion simply invited their own defeat,” Lei Yangyu laughed coldly. “Their dishonest practices were bound to lead to their destruction. Our Lei Family is different. We may be accused of being overbearing, but we resolve our inconsistencies internally and would never liaise with sinister cults.”

“It’s a real pity for Huangfu Jinyuan, the previous Huangfu’s founding ancestor and former rising prodigy. Ultimately, he couldn’t break free from his family’s control and ended up in this regrettable state,” he added.

Wang Shouzhe and the others sighed, expressing their disappointment for Huangfu Jinyuan.

However, as Wang Shouzhe saw it, this was to be expected. Not to mention the intricate relationships between proprietary and branch lineages of the Profound Martial families – even many contemporary Earth families experienced unrestricted influence and manipulation.

Both physiological and psychological imprints often remained with a person throughout their life.

Suddenly!

From outside the carriage, an authoritative, seemingly furious voice rang out, “Is Family Head Shouzhe there? I am Xiahou Hongde, and I’ve come to discuss a few things.”

Unsurprisingly, City Lord Hongde was in a foul mood.

Throughout the entirety of today’s events, he had essentially been used as a pawn.

Moreover, he hadn’t been given a chance to resist or even object, instead subjected to a seamless manipulation!

Both Lei Yangyu of the Lei Family and Xu Anbang of the Xu Family looked at Wang Shouzhe with slight apprehension at hearing City Lord Xiahou Hongde’s tone, which suggested he was seeking trouble.

Being as composed as ever, Wang Shouzhe reassured them with an unstressed, non-arrogant tone, “If City Lord Xiahou calls for me, how would I dare not answer?”

…