Upon hearing Song Yuanliang's report of Chen Jiuyang's words, the dozens of core high-ranking officials from the three clans and sixteen sects fell silent for a moment.
Immediately, the Song family patriarch sneered, "Chen Jiuyang truly has a cunning plan. He kills our people and then expects us to surrender to him. What a pipe dream."
"He even wants the martial artists to clean us out. What a joke."
"As long as our elders from these families and sects are here, even if we retreat from Ziyang County, we can make a comeback."
"The deceased Earth Realm martial artists can also be cultivated again."
"But if we die, the three clans and sixteen sects will become Chen Jiuyang's prey on the chopping block."
As soon as the Song family patriarch spoke, many people immediately agreed.
"I, Changhong Sect, agree with Patriarch Song's words."
"I, Duanshui Stream Sect, also agree."
"I..."
"Chen Jiuyang's destructive power is indeed formidable. We need to avoid his sharp edge." After all parties had stated their positions, the Song family patriarch said, "Since all you colleagues have made up your minds, we shall withdraw from Ziyang County and find another place to recuperate."
"Agreed."
Everyone slowly nodded, thinking it a good plan.
Chen Jiuyang, with his own strength, had killed the core elites of their three clans and sixteen sects. This had already instilled fear in their hearts, and they were even more worried that their mid-level personnel would betray them and act against them.
The Song family patriarch said, "In that case, let us immediately make arrangements for our retreat and leave Weiguang Forest."
"Excellent."
"Very excellent."
Then, they immediately dispatched over a dozen Profound Realm martial artists to scout for a retreat route, avoiding Chen Jiuyang.
An hour later.
The dispatched Profound Realm martial artists returned with grim expressions and said, "Patriarch, we are trapped in Weiguang Forest. The forest borders are guarded by martial artists from the Shu Mountain faction. We tried to escape, but we were forced back."
"What!"
At this, everyone's expressions changed drastically.
Had they become turtles in a jar?
Some looked displeased, some gloomy, some ashen-faced, some with shifting expressions, and some with flickering eyes.
Their hearts sank to the bottom.
They had schemed against Chen Jiuyang, but would the forces behind Chen Jiuyang sit idly by and not scheme against them?
The Song family patriarch's face darkened as he said, "This is an attempt to exterminate our three clans and sixteen sects!"
"You are mistaken. This is not an attempt to exterminate our three clans and sixteen sects."
At this moment, Song Yuanliang, carrying his saber, and Zeng Youyi walked into the crowded villa hall.
The Song family patriarch sternly asked, "Yuanliang, what are you doing? Do you really believe Chen Jiuyang's words and intend to kill us elders to surrender to him?"
Song Yuanliang took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and said, "Patriarch, if it were just Marquis Xuanyang alone, we could follow your wishes and recuperate elsewhere. But now, the entire forest is locked down by Shu Mountain martial artists. We only have a few choices."
"One, wait for Chen Jiuyang to come and kill us all."
"Two, we attempt to break through to the rear and be killed by the Shu Mountain faction."
"Three, sacrifice you clan leaders and sect masters to allow more of us to survive."
The high-ranking officials of the three clans and sixteen sects collectively changed their expressions. Unbeknownst to them, the villa they were in had already been surrounded by martial artists from their own sects.
"I personally suggest you choose the third path. Chen believes that if the root of the illness is already rotten, how can one administer medicine without excising the root, and how can new sprouts grow and develop?" Chen Jiuyang, dressed in tattered clothes, slowly stood at the doorway, holding the Yan Sheng Saber, his gaze chilling.
"You have colluded!" The Zeng family patriarch roared in anger, "You are rebelling against your superiors. This is treason!"
"Ching—"
Zeng Youyi, an ordinary person, held a dagger and stabbed it into the Zeng family patriarch's chest. His eyes were filled with helplessness and reluctance, and he said coldly:
"My lord, times have changed."
"You..." The Zeng family patriarch looked at the dagger in his chest, his aged eyes filled with disbelief. His vision gradually blurred, and darkness enveloped him. His body then collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
A commotion immediately erupted in the crowd.
Having spoken, Zeng Youyi cupped his fists and bowed to Chen Jiuyang, saying, "Marquis Xuanyang, my Zeng family has submitted our pledge of allegiance."
Chen Jiuyang seemed to be blind and deaf, hearing nothing and ignoring Zeng Youyi's words.
Then, Chen Jiuyang turned and left. Behind him, sounds of unwilling anger, fighting, and shouting ensued. By dawn, a large fire erupted, igniting the entire villa area.
The old and worn things of yesterday became history under a great blaze.
Under the unstoppable momentum, Song Yuanliang and others bowed to Chen Jiuyang, choosing to sacrifice these dozens of high-ranking officials from the three clans and sixteen sects in exchange for the safety and development of their remaining thousands of people. This was undoubtedly a profitable deal.
Chen Jiuyang chuckled.
Song Yuanliang, Zeng Youyi, and a group of people stood behind Chen Jiuyang. Song Yuanliang said, "Marquis Xuanyang, what are your orders next?"
"The ringleaders have been executed," Chen Jiuyang said. "Those who have committed crimes should surrender themselves to the Six Doors. The remaining matters are for your three clans and sixteen sects to handle yourselves."
"As long as you do not repeat past transgressions, I will not trouble you further."
With that, Chen Jiuyang flicked the Yan Sheng Saber, turned, and left with a sweep of his sleeve.
The three clans and sixteen sects would send people to pledge allegiance to him, but it was not the entire three clans and sixteen sects that would submit to him, nor would it be now.
At the very least, it would be after Chen Jiuyang was enfeoffed as a King. The privileges of being a Marquis, besides marrying seven wives, also included establishing a guard team of no more than seventy-two people.
The Six Doors in Ziyang County had limited strength. When the Six Doors were overwhelmed, Chen Jiuyang, as Marquis Xuanyang, would be called upon. However, Chen Jiuyang could not handle every matter personally, which was where the guard team came in, acting on behalf of Chen Jiuyang and working with the Six Doors to handle affairs.
Xi Butui was once a member of the guard team when Zhou Fangzun was enfeoffed as a Marquis.
Similarly, other enfeoffed Marquises were also like this.
Enfeoffed Marquises themselves required cultivation resources, and with the expenses of a whole guard team, the Marquises themselves would often connect with many businessmen.
The matter of the four clans and sixteen sects in Ziyang County thus came to an end. When Chen Jiuyang walked out of Weiguang Forest, there was still a large group of people from the three clans and sixteen sects behind him, which immediately caused shock in the outside world.
In just one day, Chen Jiuyang had subdued the martial arts world of Ziyang County.
After the shock, they calmed down and felt that it was only natural. How significant could the martial arts world of a small Ziyang County be? It was merely the three clans and sixteen sects. Moreover, judging by Chen Jiuyang's methods, it was likely the old tactic of killing some, beating some, and winning over some.
"How was it?" The Chen family patriarch flew through the air and approached Chen Jiuyang to inquire.
"This time, the harvest was substantial. The path of martial arts has become clear, and I have stepped halfway into it," Chen Jiuyang replied with a smile.