Volume One, Chapter 8: Xu Que Takes Action, Instantly Free of Worries
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Inside Xu Que’s chamber.
He retrieved the corpses of Duanmu Xiong and his Dao-protecting elders.
“Refine, Heaven, Gourd!”
A gourd materialized from within him, promptly engulfing the two bodies.
These lifeless, powerless remains were instantly refined.
They transformed into pure, concentrated energy.
This energy could be absorbed by oneself or given to others; it could enhance alchemy success rates or elevate the grade of weapons—its uses were endless.
Xu Que stored it in a jade-pure bottle.
He intended to gift it to the clan elder who helped him suppress the Zhu family.
Just as he emerged, Xu Que saw the clan head discussing matters with shopkeepers from various Xu family trades.
He stepped forward to listen.
It turned out that the three great houses of Shengjing—the Liu, Wen, and Hong families—were threatening to avenge Duanmu Xiong by severing all business ties with the Xu family. Anyone dealing with the Xu family was to be shunned.
This caused many small merchants and minor clans to hastily distance themselves.
After all, these three houses combined were even stronger than the Xu family.
Moreover, they were clearly the white gloves of the Duanmu family, thus offending four powerful clans at once.
“Clan head, what shall we do now?”
“The Liu, Wen, and Hong families not only cut off trade but have threatened other noble families and secretly attacked our caravan.”
“Should we declare clan war?”
The Xu clan head frowned deeply. This was a grave situation.
Such a blow would severely damage Xu family business, causing at least a 70% loss.
That didn’t even account for the daily cultivation resources for the clan’s heirs, which the elders would hardly receive.
Yet the clan head shook his head: “The three families opposite aren’t weaker than us and have the Duanmu family backing them. It’s a test of who can endure more.
We must keep calm and tighten our belts. We won’t perish.
However, the young master’s supplies and expenses must not be cut.”
After hearing this, Xu Que stepped outside.
“Clan head, there’s no need to show weakness—I have a solution.”
The clan head’s eyes brightened as he rose quickly. “Xu Que, what method do you have?”
Xu Que produced a substantial amount of wealth recovered from the Zhu family. “I’m putting forward half of these spirit stones and rare materials. It’s enough for the Xu family to weather this crisis.”
Everyone was astonished.
These were treasures Xu Que had previously spent; reclaiming them was natural.
Now, offering half to the clan was enough to sustain operations for half a year.
“Young master,” several shopkeepers knelt. “How could we delay your cultivation?”
Xu Que waved his hand. “I only keep half for myself. Also, I have a spirit elixir that can help my aunt break through to the Martial Lord realm!”
At this, the elders in the hall were stunned.
Si Yuan’s heart stirred.
She had been stuck at the peak of the Martial King realm for nearly five years.
The Martial Lord realm meant one could become a sovereign of the martial dynasty and establish a nation with ease.
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If the Xu family could produce a Martial Lord expert, it would elevate the clan’s standing.
Though not top-tier, in Greater Wu Shengjing, that would surpass even the first-rate clans.
It was said that clans with Martial Lord cultivators in Greater Wu Shengjing could be counted on one hand.
Si Yuan curiously picked up the pure energy. “What is this? I have never seen such refined energy—more potent than even the finest jade nectar.”
Xu Que assured her, “Aunt, this good stuff should help you break through to the Martial Lord realm.”
“From the Zhu family’s returns? Such a treasure you give me? Then I won’t be polite.”
Si Yuan took the refined energy of the Refining Heaven Gourd to refine it, confident she would soon break through.
The Xu clan head was overjoyed. “If Elder Qi reaches the Martial Lord realm, the Liu, Wen, and Hong families will become mere jesters. No merchants will follow them. Then we will settle the accounts gradually.”
Xu Que smiled calmly. “It’s my duty to serve the clan.”
“Hahaha, good. I thought this crisis would be severe but didn’t expect such an easy resolution.” The clan head eagerly grabbed Xu Que’s shoulder, deeply gratified. “Xu Que, you’ve achieved great merit. Tell me, what do you want?”
Xu Que shook his head. “Clan head, I need nothing. As long as everyone is well, that is enough.”
The next day, a vast surge of spiritual energy erupted from the Xu family estate, soaring skyward.
Relying on the Refining Heaven Gourd’s pure energy, Si Yuan completely broke through the bottleneck that had confined her for five years.
Her formidable Martial Lord aura drew the attention of all the powerful figures in Shengjing.
Soon, royal envoys arrived in succession to offer congratulations.
Gifts poured in, and the Xu family showed no sign of bankruptcy but instead grew even more prosperous.
Si Yuan declined all rare treasures, forwarding them all to Xu Que’s realm.
News soon spread that the Xu family’s seventh elder, Si Yuan, had broken through and become a Martial Lord expert.
The Liu, Wen, and Hong families in the city were thrown into panic.
None of them possessed a Martial Lord cultivator!
If a fight broke out, they would surely lose.
Should they seek help from the Duanmu family?
But this was Greater Wu Shengjing. Whether aid would arrive, or in time, was doubtful.
Bang!
Suddenly, the Liu family gate was kicked open.
“Who dares kick open the Liu family gate?”
The heads of the Wen and Hong families, meeting at the Liu estate, were shocked.
The three families were closely allied, with several elders at the Martial King realm. Who dared act so boldly?
As the three heads pondered, Xu Que arrived with four Xu elders.
Without hesitation, Xu Que said: “Liu family head, I heard you sent men to intercept the Xu family caravan and publicly declared that anyone trading with us would be suppressed. This disrupts market economic order—do you understand?”
The Liu family head was dumbfounded. Market? Economy? Order?
“Xu Que! You dare cause trouble on our turf? Do you have proof, or are you just provoking us?”
“Proof, you say? The Imperial City’s Investigation Office has it.”
At that moment, an officer from the Imperial Investigation Office appeared behind Xu Que, producing a document and tossing it over.
“See for yourselves. I also have recording beads—there are records of the three families’ misdeeds.”
The three heads took the document, uneasy.
They realized their wrongdoing had been recorded.
Moreover, why was someone from the Investigation Office aligned with Xu Que?
This implied the Greater Wu imperial family supported the Xu family!
No wonder, while the three great families secretly served the Xuanti Sacred Grounds’ Duanmu family, the imperial family was displeased.
Helping the Xu family deal with these ruffians was a cunning strategy to drive out the tiger by swallowing the wolf.
Xu Que, who had been worried about allies, now had imperial backing, clearly adopting a stance of watching the tigers fight from the mountain.
So a bloodbath in the Xu family was no issue.
Xu Que angrily declared, “I also have recording beads from the Xu caravan—your dirty deeds are ironclad.”
The Liu family head flew into a rage. “Slander! This is defamation against our family. Xu Que, do you dare spread lies?”
He unleashed the imposing aura of a peak Martial King, attempting to suppress Xu Que.
Boom!
But behind Xu Que, Si Yuan erupted with the aura of a Martial Lord.
The Liu family head was immediately shaken.
Coughing up a mouthful of foul blood, he staggered.
Swish swish swish!
Several Liu elders leapt from the shadows.
“Protect the family head!”
Si Yuan snorted coldly. “Pitiful little dogs—what good is protecting him?”
She surged forward, leaving a residual image behind.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Four Martial King elders from the Liu family each received a slap, flying backward in four directions.
The Liu family head looked on, cold sweat pouring.
A Martial Lord was a whole realm above.
No matter how many elders, it was useless.
A half-step difference meant instant defeat.
What could be done?
The Liu family head was filled with fury and grief. “Damn it! Si Yuan was stuck at the peak Martial King realm for five years—how did she break through? I’ve been stuck here for ten years!”
The Wen family head sighed enviously, “I’ve been stuck at the peak Martial King for fifteen years. Comparing ourselves to others is maddening.”
The Hong family head lamented, “How did she suddenly break through? We have lost completely. What do we do now?”
Xu Que saw a few Liu elders still struggling to rise.
He said, “Aunt, these four just tried to use a killing move. Lord Zhu of the Imperial Investigation Office was watching. That breaks the rules. I think…”
As he spoke, Xu Que raised his hand to strike again.
The Liu family head panicked. A Martial King elder was no easy loss.
That was the real foundation of the Liu family!
He hastily stepped forward. “Stop, Young Master Xu, let’s talk this over. I— I was wrong. Please spare my elders. Have mercy.”
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